When faced with a challenge, the instinctual human reaction boils down to two responses: fight or flight. Trailing by four goals coming into their Return Game against KAC Klagenfurt, Leksands IF chose the former and ended up on the winning end in an 8-1 romping of the Austrian side that resulted in an 8-5 aggregate victory for the Swedes at Tegera Arena on Tuesday night.
Leksand, without question, experienced the ups and downs of hockey in the Champions Hockey League in their debut campaign. At first claiming dominant wins in their first four Group Stage games, before experiencing defeat in their next two contests. Yet, the ride wasn’t over and for Leksand’s Matt Caito, this last batch of matches was more of the same highs and lows.
“It was a big rollercoaster. Coming up to that game in Klagenfurt, we weren’t playing well going into the break and then we started off not using our speed against them.”
I think we needed a little payback from going down four nothing in their building.Leksands IF's Matt Caito
With home ice on their side to begin their Round of 16 home-at-home series, Klagenfurt utilised the opportunity to the fullest to gain as much ground on their opponents as possible, tallying four markers against Leksand to give the Austrians a comfortable lead on aggregate when all was said and done. So when it came to bringing the game back to Sweden, Caito felt it was time for some redemption.
“I think we needed a little payback from going down four nothing in their building. So we came out, used our speed, and we just played to have fun and try and make it happen.”
If Klagenfurt came out guns blazing in their arena, Leksand brought the entire armada as they stormed to an early lead and never looked back, potting three goals in the first, two in the second, and three more in the third. After putting eight past a talented team in Klagenfurt, it might seem like Leksand were making easy work of the visitors, but Caito was quick to disagree.
“It’s not easy, no, no. They’re a very good team over there and we just had to play a little bit harder than we did last time against them,” he admitted.
Nevertheless, their performance against a formidable opponent was just what the Swedes needed as they continue to go to work not only in the CHL but in their domestic league, as well. After dropping their previous four SHL affairs, a win in any capacity would have been welcomed, and when asked if this game could be the turnaround they needed, Caito had an easy answer.
“Yeah, I think so. I think we needed it. We haven’t been scoring too many goals so this helps us confidence-wise.”
What’s more, with some of their veterans out of the lineup, this victory came off the back of some of the youngsters who showed they were more than capable of contributing.
"We have a lot of guys out, too, so it was good that the young guys stepped up and played amazing for us.”