Frolunda Gothenburg added to their lead in the return game in Linkoping, as the defending champs once again advance to the Champions Hockey League Semi-Finals. Read more in Gamecentre. 

by Derek O'Brien, with contribution from Julia Bjers

With a four-goal deficit to overcome heading into the return game of the CHL Quarter-Finals, Linkoping HC knew they would need another multi-goal home win against defending champions Frolunda Gothenburg. However, it was the Indians who won 5-2 to take the series 9-2 on aggregate, and advance to the Semi-Finals for the third straight year.

“It was a hard game for the guys to play when we already had a lead of four goals,” Frolunda coach Roger Ronnberg said of his team's mindset entering the game. “It’s a situation we’re not used to. Considering this, I think we handled the game well.”

The first period back and forth, as Linkoping tried to open it up. They eventually traded goals late in the period, which more than suited visiting Frolunda. The Indians' potent power play opened the scoring in the 15th minute, with Victor Olofsson taking a cross-ice pass from Joel Lundqvist and beating Marcus Hogberg in close. Three minutes later Linkoping replied, with Jakob Lilja receiving a drop-pass from Ken-Andre Olimb and beating Johan Gustafsson with a nice wrister.

Frolunda put the game and series away in the second period by out-scoring Linkoping 3-1. Johan Sundstrom got things going by driving hard to the net and re-directing a shot. Niklas Persson replied for Linkoping on the power play, but Olofsson's second of the game on a Frolunda power play, followed by a tally from Sean Bergenheim in the dying seconds of the period gave the Indians a secure 6-goal lead on aggregate.

Casey Wellman added one last goal on a 5-on-3 midway through the third period, but by then there was nothing less to decide, as Frolunda continue to show that they are the team to beat in Sweden and throughout Europe. 

“It feels good,” said Olofsson, whose assist on Wellman's goal gave him 3 points in the game. “All the points were on the power play. We have a good power play and I got two passes in front of the goal and then Casey got a good shot from my pass. It definitely feels good.” 

Looking ahead to the Semi-Finals against Fribourg-Gotteron, Ronnberg said, “It’s exciting. We have great respect for Swiss hockey and we know that it’s a strong team. They are in the Semi-Finals for a reason. I know their coach, Larry Huras, pretty well and I know how his teams usually look. We must respect them but also believe in our strengths.”