A lot of what I wanted to say tonight has been said. Needed to be tougher and as it was obvious we couldn’t match Frölunda’s speed we needed to put some guys on their backsides. Try and get under their skin.
Hugely disappointing result. Fans were great - decent turnout, would have loved a few more to pack out that standing section (but appreciate its expensive).
I however have some minor, b*tchy things to mention:
- given that arena is their second home Frölunda don’t seem to want to take money off away fans (save for the typical Swedish: “average at best beer for a ridiculous price”) I’d have happily bought a programme, a puck or something/ANYTHING as a souvenir or our day - but no. Nothing in their pop up shop other than jerseys, scarfs and tat.
- what an embarrassment of a home atmosphere. We often discuss how the Viola can be quiet but that place was something else. Library indeed.
- if roles had been reversed, Indians at the Viola losing but having backed their team throughout as we did, no way Kelman isn’t on the tannoy praising those fans at the end and inviting the home fans to do the same. Few Indians remained after to watch the Army after the game but nowt from the club. They wouldn’t have said anything had the tidying issue not cropped up. It may be petty but IMO it shows a lack of class.
- and on the topic of the fans at the end...where were the Devils? Yes they’d just suffered a beating but the fans were there throughout and gave them their all. A couple minutes to come and acknowledge the fans would have been nice.
Admittedly I’m being a little precious, and picky but just those little things annoyed me - maybe they annoyed others.
Looking at the big picture though - very proud that we went nose-to-nose with the best, just didn’t come off tonight. With a fit roster we’d struggle so that tonight was an immense effort - but not good enough. Let’s try and put that right at home.