An exceptional combination of solid defence, special unit play and stalwart netminding provided Frölunda Gothenburg with a two-goal aggregate advantage as they currently lead this Champions Hockey League Semi-Final series 2-0 over challenger Brynäs IF. Brynäs were held to just 17 shots on the night and saw several high-quality chances swallowed up by an extremely capable Frölunda side on the road. 

Brynäs entered this series three spots shy of their challengers in terms of Goals For, netting a respectable 2.55 goals per game and putting them in 13th place league-wide. The metrics of the game predicted the Swedes' scoring to be a little less, with their Expected Goals to be about 1.70.

But after scoring a combined eight tallies in their Quarter-Finals contests against KalPa Kuopio, Brynäs were unable to break through a stubborn Frölunda team and now find themselves chasing the lead with a chance to battle for the European Trophy within touching distance. Fortunately, the gap isn't insurmountable and with a chance to play in the CHL Final on the line, their motivation for retribution should be as high as ever.

Lars Johansson was mistaken for a brick wall a few times throughout the First Game, including a sequence of saves made around the midway mark of the third period that kept their opponents scoreless. His play, coupled with the club's stingy defence, was a nightmare for Brynäs and could very well be the ingredient they need to make it to their sixth Final appearance.

Still, for how good they played defensively, and how many chances they had at the opposing end, Frölunda were only able to light the lamp twice, allowing Brynäs some breathing room as they get set for the Return Game. While defence is important and Frölunda have shown their aptitude away from the puck, converting on more chances and increasing that goal gap will pay dividends as they hope to continue their 2025/26 campaign on Europe's biggest club ice hockey stage.