Linkoping HC have dug themselves a huge hole by losing the first three games of their SHL semi-final series with two-time defending champions Skelleftea AIK. However, their game-four victory was a step in the right direction, according to rookie winger Henrik Tornqvist. Now they have to keep it up.

by Stefan Lovstrand

LINKOPING – All four teams remaining in the Swedish Hockey League playoffs have already qualified for the 2015–16 Champions Hockey League. One semi-final features a re-match of the CHL quarter-final between Skelleftea AIK and Linkoping HC. Skelleftea needed a shootout to win that two-game series, but the two-time SHL champs have had an easier time in this series, winning the first three games. 

After three straight losses, however, it was a Good Friday for Linkoping, who won 3–2 in game four to stay alive in the best-of-seven series. It wasn't a typical victory, though. They were out-shot 35–14, but scored the first three goals of the game – two off the stick of Jacob Micflikier. Marcus Hogberg was perfect in the Linkoping goal for 59 minutes, but the Skelleftea power play cashed in twice in the final minute to make it a 3–2 final.  

After the game, Linkoping's Henrik Tornqvist answered a few questions. Just 18 years old, Tornqvist made his professional debut this season in the SHL, scoring one goal and recording three assists in 48 games, while mostly seeing limited ice time. He also played in eight CHL contests. Though he is too old to play in this year's U18 World Championship, a tournament he played in last year, he is eligible for this year's NHL Entry Draft. 

Henrik, from the press box that seemed like a good game, but what is your opinion from the ice? 

It was a very fun game to play. We needed to win and I think we did it very well and overall it was a fun game. 

Can you feel comfortable in this kind of game, where you have to win or else the season is over? 

You have to find a way to feel comfortable in  these type of games, otherwise it's not a good situation. You have to show yourself – and together with the team – that you'll push a little harder, take one extra step to make sure that you can make everything worth it. 

What would you say was the biggest difference between this game and the others in the series?
 
The first two games I thought we chased them a little to much. These last two games we played more compact as a group and we can see the difference, that we work well together instead of going one-on-one, were we had some trouble in the first two games against them. 

At least one more game against them. Will it take more from your part to take another win? 

Yeah, absolutely. We know that they will do anything to close the series on home ice and I think that we have to keep playing like we did today, more as a group and show a lot of patience as well. We can't be too eager. As I see it, we have to do everything to make it count in these upcoming games.