Going into the second Semi-Final game with a 5-goal advantage after a crushing 5–0 victory on the road, 18-year old-defenceman Jacob Larsson speaks about his development in Frolunda Gothenburg and the series against HC Davos.

by Efraim Larsson 

GOTHENBURG – Last week in Davos, Frolunda Gothenburg took a sensational win in beautiful Vaillant Arena when they defeated the home Swiss club 5–0, outshooting them 34–20. One particular main character was the 18-year-old defenceman Jacob Larsson, who scored the last two goals of the game, which built up the Gothenburg-based club's aggregate lead to five, heading to the return game on home ice. Larsson himself summarized the game like this:

“We were well-prepared for the game last week and we knew that they’re offensively skilled, but I think that we managed to keep them out of the danger zone pretty well throughout the game. They managed to create a few good scoring chances, but Lasse (goalie Lars Johansson) saved us when we needed it most. I never thought they really got to dominate the game in any way, though, and on top of our defensively solid game we managed to score on the chances we got, so it was a great feeling to win the game and put us in the good place we are in now. Obviously scoring two goals was really fun also!”

Regarding your goals, the first one was a real beauty. Can you describe it?

”Yeah, I noticed that a couple of Davos players went to make a change, so I just took the chance to follow up on the attack and ending up getting the pass by (Oscar) Fantenberg which forced me to continue even further. I managed to get past their defender and then I basically had nothing to lose, so I pushed my way towards the net and tried to get the puck top shelf, and it eventually went well.”

But this Semi-Final series is far from over, which Jacob quickly points out, as HC Davos definitely have the ability to score five goals on the road, as Frolunda did last week.

“We really need to stay focused and keep track of their guys throughout the whole game, ‘cause if we lack concentration just for a couple of seconds they will, without any doubt, take advantage of that with their speed and quick transition game. One early goal for them can easily turn into two, and two into three, and by then they are really back in the game. So if we play like with did in the last game we have a great shot to keep this lead, I think.”

Halftime lead for the first time

As Frolunda lost the first game in all of the three previous rounds (4–2 at ERC Ingolstadt, 3–1 at HC Litvinov and 3–2 at Lulea Hockey) they now have the advantage of leading the aggregate score after the first meeting. Jacob puts on a little embarrassed smile and admits that they didn’t really play any good games on the road in the previous rounds and continues:

“Somehow we couldn’t get our stuff together and maybe thought that we were going to win despite not playing to our full capacity, which obviously didn’t work. We eventually managed to turn every single series around to our advantage, but of course I'd rather have this lead than being down and forced to win.”

If we take a look at you as an individual player, how would you describe your role in the team of Frolunda?

“I would say that I’m an offensive d-man with a good pass up ice and that likes to be a part of the offensive attacks. I think that I fit the game plan that Frolunda represent and strive quite well, which probably is the reason that I’ve gotten as much confidence as I have. Seen from last season I think that I’ve developed my physical conditioning and that I dare to take more room both on- and off-ice.”

At most, Frolunda have nine defencemen in the roster at the same time, which he thinks has contributed to his development.

“Yes, obviously being more players than available player spots leads to a competition situation where everyone wants to fight and show that he deserves to be one of the regular guys. All of the d-men that have been here (and still are) are very skilled players and you constantly have to play really good to stay on the team. That pressure has had a significant positive impact on my development.”

Finally, Larsson refers to the atmosphere that the Davos fans delivered last week and makes a wish that a lot of Frolunda supporters will attend tomorrow as well.

”I really loved the atmosphere in Vaillant Arena. It was pure awesomeness, and I really hope that we can push up the attendance a bit tomorrow and create a great atmosphere as we want to advance to the Final together with our fans.”

Lastly, give me a prediction for the final score of tomorrow’s game . . . and will you will score a goal?

“We’ll win, 3–1. And yes, I will score a goal!”