Tonight, ice hockey Sweden's eyes will be on Karlstad and the first meeting between Färjestad and Frölunda in a quarterfinal series that could be seven games long. Gothenburg's club icon Joel Lundqvist is also starting his final playoff appearance of his career.
" It is clear that as a player in Frölunda, it feels fun and inspiring to meet Färjestad. There are often good matches, good speed and good framing. There are conditions for a good quarter-final series, it's derby feeling when we meet," he says and continues:
"It's a special situation for me with my last playoff game. There is a lot in the pot that makes it some level for yourself.
Tangential to Jörgen Jönsson
When he steps onto the ice tonight, he touches Färjestad legend Jörgen Jönsson as the player who has made the most playoff appearances in SHL/Elitserien history.
"Of course, when you hear about Jörgen, who is an icon in Swedish ice hockey and a role model in every way, it's big to touch and probably pass his record. When you sum it all up, of course you have to be proud of it, that's how it is.
Just as Jönsson did, Lundqvist hopes that his last game ends with him lifting the Swedish Championship dent.
- That's the ultimate ending. It's nothing to talk about. That's the ending everyone wants. That's a goal for me. It's a tough journey to make, but entirely possible. That's what you work for and strive for, for sure.