After a shootout loss to the Vaxjo Lakers leaves them two points back of the SHL leaders, coach Roger Ronnberg doesn't seem too worried about his team. He talks about that, and sizes up his team's opponent in next Tuesday's CHL Final.

by Pontus Bjers

VAXJO – In a clash between the top two teams in the Swedish Hockey League, the Vaxjo Lakers defeated Frolunda Gothenburg 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday night. That means that the Lakers now have a two-point lead over the Indians atop the standings, as the two teams head more or less in opposite directions.  The Lakers have not lost in regulation time in their last 15 SHL games – losing only the two CHL Semi-Final games to Sparta Prague in that time, whereas Frolunda have only won two of their last six, including to losses to the Lakers.

Despite the loss in a big game, Frolunda head coach Roger Ronnberg was not displeased with his team's effort.

“We followed our plan,” he began after the game. “The only thing is, we should have been more alert. We've just gone through a period of training and I think that it showed today that we are on the right way. We played well this game – it’s still an away game against Vaxjo. We did everything right except scoring that third goal so that we could win the game.”

What are your feelings about the team leading up to the CHL Final?

“We feel very good. The guys are hungry and are looking forward to the game.”

You’ve played the previous two Finals away. Does it add any extra spice that you’re playing it at home this season?

“It does. It’s a rare opportunity to get to play in a Final and get a chance to win. It’s even rarer to get to do it at home so it’s something to look forward to.”

Have you been able to watch Sparta Prague at all?

“Yes, we’ve watched them a lot. I just got some good information from Sam Hallam (head coach of the Lakers), as they have played against them four times in the last three years. We feel like we have a pretty good check on them.”

What are your expectations for the Final?

“It’s a skilled team that comes to play against us and they have four solid lines. We think that they play a kind of hockey that is quite similar to the type that we play in Sweden, so we know what to expect.”