Young forward Erik Karlsson recorded three assists in this year's Champions Hockey League, playing every game for Frolunda Gothenburg. Immediately following the loss in the Final in Lulea, he couldn't hold back his disappointment, but at the same time is optimistic about the rest of the season.

by Efraim Larsson

LULEA – After leading 2–0 after 40 minutes, losing the Champions Hockey League Final is a bitter pill for Frolunda Gothenburg to swallow. However, the reality of the situation is they have more important hockey to play this season, so it's time to put this defeat out of their minds, secure in the knowledge that they will be back next season to play in Europe's top club hockey competition.

Winger Erik Karlsson is an experienced member of Swedish U18 and U20 national teams, earning silver medals at IIHF World Championships at both of those levels. Now in his second full season as a professional player, the 20-year-old is part of this Frolunda team and is experiencing the disappointment along with everyone else. 

As a team, you had a really good start by scoring a goal just 17 seconds into the game and had a two-goal lead about eight minutes into the third period. Still, this is a loss. I don't really want to ask, but can you describe your feelings?

Of course it's an incredibly tough loss, especially in an important game like this. I can't really describe it more detailed than that it tastes like crap.

You controlled the game for two periods but couldn't hold on. Why couldn't you?

You know, there was great atmosphere in the locker room and we had great harmony in the squad before the game and it felt like all of us were truly focused and pumped for the game, and the game reflected that in the first two periods.

Unfortunately we drew a couple of bad penalties in the third period and that gave them a little energy, and when they scored their first goal the arena exploded and pushed the team even harder. They were able to take advantage of that energy boost and we couldn't, unfortunately.

It’s a few days now before your next game. How do you reload and what do you build upon from this game?

We’ll go back home to Gothenburg and keep working like we always do. We’ve just got to get it out of our minds as quickly as possible and try to get back to our ordinary training routines, which will make us come back even stronger. We can't really go moping about it since we have the end of the SHL season to think about as well.

We have a really tight and great group of players and friends on this roster and we’ll keep fighting and doing what we do best.

The CHL is finished for now, but Frolunda will be back next season. What do you think about the tournament?

It has been an enjoyable trip, I think. We got the chance to do a lot of travelling and played games in many different kinds of places and cities, against several different teams and it has been a great time, definitely!