HV71 won in a drowsy game

The rematch of the 1/16 final between HV71 and Ocelari Trinec became drowsy, but HV71 took the opportunity as they had home advantage. After a scoreless first period, Jakub Klepis gave his Ocelari the lead with a shot from the blueline. 

But the happiness didn't last long. HV71s' Axel Eidstedt didn't wanted to be any worse and after he got the puck at the blueline, he scored his first goal in the A-team. It was a beauty and Hamerlik in the visitors team couldn't do anything. 

Ocelari played really well in the first period and were several times close to score, but in the end of the same act, HV71 got their gameplay together and increased the intensity. As HV71 raised their tempo, Ocelari started to get trouble with the Swedish teams intensity. In the remaining two periods, HV71 was the strongest team and dictated the game. 

Though the intensity and the physical play, along with the teams created opportunities, it was a drowsy game. Both teams have great squads and a big deal of individual skill, but this wasn't shown yesterday. On the positive side, there were two great goalies who held the numbers low. 

Chris Abbott and Anton Bengtsson scored a goal each to give HV71 the win and at the same time promotion to 1/8 final against Espoo Blues.

Tweets by @eurohockey