In the picture: Karl Helmersson – probably the last game in VIK. PHOTO: JIMMY GERDIN, VIK.se
VIK continued to embarrass the club brand after 1-6 away against Oskarshamn on Friday evening. The consolation is that NJ now has to save its own skin by quickly replacing Helmersson and Lindmark, who failed completely to build something in VIK with NJ’s recruited old men.
As always, the easiest thing to do is to change coaches, and so it is underway according to Expressen.
Otherwise, two teams that didn’t seem to be able to play defense initially in Oskarshamn. 2-1 IKO after revolving doors with as many as 11-10 chances in a game 5-on-5 after 20. Still no defense in VIK – and IKO straight up clean old man and control in the first change.
Hayhurst was perhaps a bit unlucky and high club, but ok box play. Uneven Fransén was responsible for a magnificent ride and Rosdahl good for Komarek, and vice versa.
Komarek otherwise seemed a bit tired defensively suddenly now and chance IKO when #67 slipped and looked at the puck, the Austrian probably played his worst game in VIK so far after many peaks.
However, Engstrand was good tonight and, among other things, showed up for the hitherto offensively blunt but otherwise so useful Kant. 1-0 in PP then Norberg was extremely untimed and completely overlooked Korhonen. Korhonen several really good actions, however, before and after that.
1-1 after good play today strong Flood and Engstrand as Kant and Norberg drove powerfully towards goal and Sjögren hit the rebound.
2-1 then Fransén, Komarek and Gradin didn’t think defense and open counter attack, maybe Korhonen sold himself cheaply? Flood and Hayhurst created a good chance for Gradin, but the shooting was too bad there too unfortunately.
Kangas, Gradin and Norberg great defensively but Korhonen good. Engstrand was responsible for another strong ride. VIK came more and more and Fransén had a chance after fine preparatory work by Kant and Sjögren. Hinged doors in both directions.
Second was just a wait for big changes and 5-1 before the last. Hayhurst found Komarek but the free kick was sloppy. 3-1 since Kangas and Jansson missed. Komarek showed up for Hayhurst but IKO’s imports and fourth chain classes are better in shooting in general.
Gradin continued to miss chances after pre-work Kangas, completely overmatched as a second center and there really is a big hole in the middle at the second center spot.
4-1 then for the evening lost Fransén again went away high. However, Oliver Marcelius was a light and fixed a PP.
Fransén then fixed another Smålänning, but of course VIK couldn’t shoot in a 5-on-3 game either, an uncoached Komarek did as too often when he frustratedly threw away shots from a standstill like the worst Anton Svensson did on a conveyor belt.
Too unimportant and invisible, Rosdahl risks becoming the most expensive goal-misser of all time with his three-year contract when he once again missed a situation in 5-on-3. A new coach with character must come in who gets #92 in order.
Otherwise good Malte Sjögren took an unnecessary sending off as he held onto the opponent’s stick for too long. 5-1 after less successful defensive play by Jansson and Komarek and others.
Gradin good to Hayhurst but again lousy shooting. Engstrand was actually sharp tonight and suited Sjögren deliciously, but we have already written too much about the non-existent precision in the yellow-black shooting…
SUMMARY
We already knew that this VIK cannot play defense. But NJ’s signings are also generally good shooters, as little is created anyway. For example, “only” 25-19 chances for IKO in 5-on-5 in total according to the blog’s notes, but the shooting is just like the defense One stinks. However, there is a certain small chance creation there – as the only small light right now.
Of course it is good that the coaches Karl Helmersson and Örjan Lindmark according to Expressen will soon be replaced, as they have not succeeded in much in VIK. Hope they find some temporary solution already to Vimmerby away on Wednesday. This is if you haven’t managed to finish with, for example, Ante Karlsson (ex Timrå) to instill some form of hope and faith.
But then it is difficult for a new coach to teach players to be able to shoot. However, the more characterful coaches can confidently get players to relax in the right way – and teach the too many offensive risk backs to play defense. It can hardly be worse than under Helmersson and Lindmark, can it?
Because tonight someone like Noel Fransén was on the wrong side of the risk assessments with 4-7 in NP and -3, as well as Jimmie Jansson with a full -4. Ojämne Flood suddenly good with +1 and 6-0 in NP. Interesting what a new coach can do with these backs, but someone else who can play defense is still needed.
Up front, Engstrand (8-0) and Kant (7-0) were clearly the best, but it’s a shame that both have such difficulty producing and managing when they create for themselves and others. How many clearances have they not burned? There is too little talk about shooting in hockey.
Komarek had probably his worst match in VIK with 5-8 in NP. I think the Austrian would do well with a coach who steered a little more and a clearer manager, to get rid of some simple frustration shots and some stagnation in the PP of the often otherwise brilliant #67.
Young Oliver Marcelius looked stable and wise as fourth center with 4-0 in NP and should get the chance ahead of weak Kangas (2-4 in NP) in some game now. Unfortunately, Kangas has not taken the chance as a second center.
But now we look forward to at least new coaches for the next match, if that is the case that the J20 coaches get to jump into Vimmerby. Because this bad without action match after match, the VIK management can’t let it go now for the sake of credibility, although of course far from everything is the fault of the coaches…
PUCKLIGAN
5 Eric Engstrand
4 Joel Kant
3 Erik Flood
2 Oliver Marcelius
1 Malte Sjögren
