Frolunda Gothenburg goaltender Johan Gustafsson discussed Saturday's win over Pardubice and the new situation in the team's crease this season. 

by Efraim Larsson

GOTHENBURG – Last season, Johan Gustafsson returned to Sweden after two seasons in North America. He played in about one-third of Frolunda Gotheburg's games, mostly backing up Lars Johansson. He played in three CHL games and watched from the bench as the Indians won the Final in Oulu, Finland.

This season, it's Johansson who has headed overseas and 24-year-old Gustafsson now finds himself the main man between the Frolunda pipes. He has played in two of their first three CHL games and made 19 saves in a 5-2 victory over Dynamo Pardubice on Saturday. He spoke afterwards.

Johan, how would you describe the game?

“I think we played really well in the first period, not nearly as good in the second but fought well in the third and eventually came out with a fair win, I believe.”

What gave you that problem in the second period?

“Well, I think we lost our intensity a bit and had a hard time getting up and playing to our normal standard. We faced a really good team and it eventually looks like that when you drop a bit of intensity – that you’re giving them the finger and they take the hand. But it’s a part of the game and you have to stay alert at all times.”

Is it difficult as a goalie, not facing many shots in the first period and then being pressured way more in the second?

“Nah, I think you just have to follow the game as much as you can and be ready when the pressure comes. During a 60-minute game there will always be periods when the team isn’t playing at its top level, and that’s when a goaltender needs to stand on his feet and be ready.”

You have a new goaltender partner in Canadian Dan Bakala. Can you explain your thoughts on working together with him this season? 

“First and foremost, he’s an extremely talented goaltender and recently played two great seasons in Allsvenskan (2nd tier league of Sweden). He has looked sharp in practices and games so far in the pre-season and we’ll work hard to build up good chemistry between me, him and Kribba (Kristoffer Martin, Frolunda's goalie coach), where we’ll make each other better and better.”