After scoring Frolunda Gothenburg's only goal in their Final-clinching 1–1 tie on Tuesday, forward Patrik Carlsson evaluated the game, the series against HC Davos, and the CHL experience so far. 

by Efraim Larsson

GOTHENBURG – Veteran forward Patrik Carlsson is better known as a set-up man than a goal scorer – in his first season back with Frolunda Gothenburg the 28-year-old has 3 goals and 16 assists in 34 Swedish Hockey League games. But on Tuesday, he scored Frolunda's only goal in the 1–1 tie that helped them advance to the Champions Hockey League Final. Many of his teammates played in last year's Final, but this will be a first for Carlsson.

How would you summarize your effort in the CHL so far?

“Overall very solid and good. A little up and down occasionally, but the last two games against Davos have been really good, I think. We've aimed for the CHL Final ever since we started the season in August, so I'm definitely looking forward to it!”

You take a crushing 5–0 victory on the road against Davos, how?

“We played an extremely great game for 60 minutes, that's what I think. We managed to disarm their offensive gameplan when they took a few chances and going hard on the transitions of theirs. But we followed our gameplan, forced them down with three guys all the time and I think that we made it very difficult for them with that.”

So, having a five-goal advantage going into a game like this, how do you keep focus and not thinking something like, "Ah, we're already in the Final"?

“If we could beat them 5–0 on the road, they could definitely do the same here, so we were well-assured of that we couldn't win this game on one skate, but rather work hard for 60 more minutes. I don't really think the final scores really reflect the way the games were played, but I think we were the better team over 120 minutes.”

Could you briefly summarize this game?

“I think we played a decent game, definitely. Good focus and I think that we controlled most of the game. They tried over and over and had a dangerous power play, but I actually think that they never really dominated the game or outplayed us in any manner. We controlled it, I think.”

I thought that your line (together with Artturi Lehkonen and Robin Figren) were really great today, especially in the first period.
 
“Yeah, it felt good today. Especially in the first period, as you say, where it felt like we broke their momentum a couple of times. In the second and third periods the game got a little torn apart by all the power plays and penalty killing, so it's more difficult to stick to your gameplan. But it felt good, indeed.”

So, on to the CHL Final . . . what are your thoughts on that?

“It's gonna be great going up to cold Oulu and facing Karpat. It'll be a great challenge for us with all their offensive skill they have. You don't have that many chances to actually win something so we have to go all in and take the chance now. Especially since we lost last season's Final.”