LIVE:The hockey fever had hit Herlev, but the Aalborg Pirates cured it well and thoroughly with a very disciplined effort that resulted in a sure victory.
A local fiddler had been hired to entertain during the breaks. It created an atmosphere that is in many ways reminiscent of the large market tent for Hjallerup Marked on Friday evening. Various Kim Larsen hits mixed with an expectation of entertaining ice hockey had lured people out of houses.
For the first time since 1991, the local fans could experience Herlev on their own ice as part of a semi-final, and many found the opportunity interesting. The intimate skating rink was packed to the last standing place, as befits and should be a DM semi-final. Possibly Aalborg’s facilities are far better, but the atmosphere in Herlev is classes above that which the fans in Sparekassen Danmark Isarena can enjoy.
It was expected that the Herlev Eagles would come out flying for the match. But the expected pressure against Aalborg’s goal did not materialize immediately.
The home team clearly had a plan to attack the counter chances that might present themselves. The first big chance of the game went to Herlev, who was awarded a penalty kick after a puck loss from Lasse Bo Knudsen. But George Sørensen saved the subsequent attempt from Herlev.
The pirates were several times successful in establishing the game in Herleve’s zone, but the home team was definitely the most dangerous. Aalborg was close to feeling the counter-knife in a couple of cases, when the eagles became poisonous after Pirates mistakes.
Herlev Eagles – Aalborg Pirates 1-3
- Ice hockey, Metalligaen
- 2. DM semi-final
- Periodecifre: 0-0, 0-2, 1-1
- Goals: 0-1 Martin Højbjerg (24.16), 0-2 Brayden Low (28.31), 0-3 Thomas Spelling (47.20), 1-3 Joseph Jonsson (48.18)
- Dismissals: Herlev 2×2, Aalborg 3×2
- Spectators:
- Thus, Aalborg Pirates leads 2-0 in the series, which is played in the best of seven games. Game three will be played on Monday in Aalborg.
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It ended goalless after the first 20 minutes. Both teams could benefit from that. However, it snarled for the Pirates when Tobias Ladehoff went to cool down for two minutes, but the pirate ship rode out the storm, and seconds after they had reached their full complement, Martin Højbjerg struck. He headed a pass from Ben Carroll into the goal.
And then things went quickly. Shortly after the opening goal, Brayden Low made it 2-0 in the dying seconds of an Aalborg power play. For obvious reasons, it dampened the atmosphere in the hall.
Without having played out in any way, the pirates had made it 2-0. It wasn’t just a mood killer in the stands. The lead gave the Pirates players more time to take better care of the puck, so that the home team’s counter shot was avoided.
Class can be many things. In Friday’s game, the Pirates’ class showed itself primarily in that the champion team was up 2-0 after two straight periods.
The conversation went merrily during the period break between the second and third periods. The many home fans had not given up hope. They sensed that the Eagles could mount a comeback against a Pirates team that wasn’t quite up to snuff.
However, all thoughts of a comeback were extinguished by a very consistent Aalborg team that skated to the third period and put discipline first. The first seven minutes passed without significant chances, and when Thomas Spelling scored to make it 3-0, the game seemed decided.
However, it is a dangerous conclusion to draw in the world’s fastest game. Less than a minute after the 3-0 score, Joseph Jonsson was reduced when he cleverly sent the puck into the back of George Sørensen, who involuntarily helped the puck over the line.
The reduction gave the home team blood on their teeth, but Aalborg Pirates more or less closed the match by pressing Herlev well and truly back in their own zone. What began as an even affair ended as a stylish display to win an away game in the playoffs.
If Aalborg Pirates can continue that pace in the coming games, then it looks like four games and then a final place for the defending champion team.