I’m spending part of my Christmas break finally putting together some features for the blog and podcast that I’ve been planning for a while. My new “Hockey Diary” series here will document games I’ve watched.
Boxing Day didn’t offer too much fighting in the games I watched yesterday, although that didn’t reflect a lack of competitiveness. Players are all so professional now that they don’t spend their Christmas Day tucking into turkey with all the trimmings and downing a gallon of ale like the rest of us. More’s the pity: might be an idea for some of the European leagues to try giving the players a mulligan and watching what unfolds.
It would be a better idea than the IIHF’s one to stop most countries from being able to watch the World Juniors. Sadly, there was no Christmas miracle to be found in some coverage magically appearing, prompting plenty of complaints from fans online. Canada, the US and Sweden all got their expected comfortable wins and I made do with watching some highlight clips.
Frölunda Falter against Canada
We did at least get the benefit of the Spengler Cup being available on YouTube and I watched most of the game in the evening between Frölunda and Team Canada.
The Swedish team were dispatched 4-0 and, truth be told, put in a fairly tepid performance. Perhaps they were secretly trying out my Christmas Binge idea?
I do think they were a touch unlucky that Carl Klingberg got a 5-minute and game penalty early in the First Period, a double-minor would have sufficed, and if Max Friberg had tucked away a glorious one-on-one chance against Aaron Dell it might have been a different story.
Canada were ruthless once they got into gear after the first 10 minutes or so. After last year’s disappointing showing in the event, they look determined to win the Cup this time around.
Nice to see Joe Thornton in the crowd too. He’s part of the Team Canada set-up, but also has a strong connection with the hosts Davos having spent a few periods playing for them over the years.
Today’s games see Finnish side KalPa take on the reigning champs Ambrì-Piotta, before Frölunda HC look to bounce back against the home team Davos.
SHL: Oskarshamn Do It Again!
Most of the day’s action for me came from the always-entertaining Swedish Hockey League.
The highlight was the early-evening match-up between Oskarshamn and Färjestad. It was a clash between the bottom team and the top team and, as they did earlier in the season, Oskarshamn turned the table on their high-flying opponent with a thrilling 5-4 shoot-out win.
Gearing Up For The Stockholm Derby
There’s no arguing over the highlight of Wednesday’s fixture list.
The Avicii Arena will be jam-packed as the two teams that share the Arena (and the soon-to-be-demolished Hovet Arena) engage in the latest Stockholm derby.
Djurgården won the first derby of the season 3-1 at the end of October, and have won four of the last five meetings, so AIK will be seeking revenge today as the nominal home team. Both are in good form so the 13,000+ on hand will be in for a treat, as will be those of us watching from afar. The game starts at 19:00 local time, 18:00 here in the UK.
