Sundsvall secured another important victory on Sunday, defeating Clemensnäs 3-1 in the Hockeyettan norra league. This win marks Sundsvall's fourth victory out of their last five matches, solidifying their place for the qualifying rounds.
From the outset, Sundsvall demonstrated their intent, scoring early just 3 minutes and 16 seconds after the game began. Filip Wiberg netted the puck with assistance from Johan Lindholm. The first period ended with Sundsvall leading 1-0, setting the tone for what followed.
The second period saw both teams struggling offensively, with no goals scored. Clemensnäs fought hard, showing glimpses of improvement, but they couldn’t capitalize on their chances. Coach Kim Lundgren noted, "Surt med ännu en förlust, men prestationen är mycket bättre idag än de har varit de senaste matcherna. Men vi har fortsatt väldigt svårt att göra mål trots många chanser framåt," indicating frustration but also recognizing their improved performance compared to previous games.
The action picked up again in the third period. At the 12:27 mark, Sundsvall doubled their lead when Axel Abrahamsson scored, assisted by Martin Arpe. Although the match seemed to be comfortably within Sundsvall's control, Clemensnäs responded late, reducing the deficit to 2-1 with just two minutes remaining, thanks to Elis Hedlund’s goal, assisted by Jonathan Lidman and Liam Nilsson.
Just as Clemensnäs seemed poised to put forth a push for the equalizer, Wiberg struck again, sealing the victory for Sundsvall with 3 seconds left, bringing the final score to 3-1. This efficient use of their scoring opportunities, coupled with solid defensive play, exemplified Sundsvall’s approach throughout the match.
With this defeat, Clemensnäs ended the season in seventh place, facing challenges as they look toward future seasons. Sundsvall, on the other hand, finds themselves comfortably positioned with the prospect of competing for promotion, sitting at third place overall.
Sundsvall and Clemensnäs met twice earlier this season, with Sundsvall coming out victorious each time. This consistency against Clemensnäs reflects their strong current form and preparation as they gear up for the qualification stage.
Looking forward, Sundsvall’s future matches will be pivotal as they work toward reaching higher tiers within the league, capitalizing on the momentum gained from this latest win. The team is eager to maintain their form and continue to build upon this victory as they head closer to the qualifications round.
