Three straight defeats. The same mistakes recurring. And an increasingly clear sense that IK are playing away their chance to challenge at the top before the team is even complete.
It started badly. Then IK showed exactly the quality that makes following this team so frustrating right now.
From 0–2 to 3–3. Joel Svensson scored twice, Søren Dietz Larsen equalised and Be-Ge finally came properly alive.
But with 1.54 remaining, AIK Solna made it 3–4 after a situation that, in our view, was preceded by an incorrectly called icing. That decision needs to be reviewed. It was bitter – but it was not the whole explanation for the defeat.
A first period that was nowhere near good enough
IK gave away far too much from the start. A poor clearance involving Ludvig Markman preceded AIK’s opening goal. Then Axel Elofsson produced a dreadful giveaway in IK’s own powerplay, allowing AIK to make it 0–2 on a breakaway.
AIK were handed further breakaways and a three-on-one that was stopped by an offside call. IK did create some chances going forward, including through Ville Svensson, Filiph Engsund and an open net that Joel Svensson failed to convert.
But the first period was clearly unacceptable. The lack of composure, experience and correct decision-making was obvious.
Joel brought IK to life
The second period was significantly better, particularly compared with the weak middle periods in recent games. Joel cut the deficit to 1–2 on the powerplay, assisted by Elofsson and Calle Karlsson.
AIK still managed to make it 1–3 after yet another situation in which IK first had offensive pressure, then overcomplicated things and were punished on the counterattack.
But IK did not give up. Joel found a fantastic shot on a rush that barely looked like a scoring chance. 2–3.
Herman Hansson went close with a deflection. With three seconds left in the period, IK were awarded a penalty shot. Joel took it, understandably after scoring twice. We probably would have chosen Calle Karlsson. Jhonas Enroth made the save.
Søren equalised – but the points disappeared
The third period finally brought the intensity we had hoped for. Søren Dietz Larsen equalised at 3–3, assisted by Axel Björnkqvist and Filip Sveningsson.
Filip Sveningsson made a strong comeback, contributing offensively, throwing heavy hits and working well on the penalty kill. He and Engsund earned well-deserved applause after a strong defensive shift. The crowd woke up as the physical battles intensified.
But AIK continued to get far too many clean chances. Emil Vuorio stopped several breakaways and kept IK in the game. Ville Jonsson took a hit and limped off. More injuries are the last thing IK need, given the situation on the blue line.
Then came the disputed icing. We believed the call was incorrect. Shortly afterwards, Tim Theocharidis made it 3–4 with 1.54 remaining.
IK called a timeout, pulled the goaltender and tried with six skaters against five. AIK missed a chance at the empty net. But the equaliser never came.
The goaltenders are not the fundamental problem
We had hoped Vuorio would produce a real shut-everyone-up performance. It did not quite happen. He was not unbeatable, but he was not poor either. Above all, he made several important saves in the third period.
It is easy to look at four goals against and start discussing goaltenders. But how many breakaways should a team really be allowed to give up?
Jhonas Enroth has both NHL credentials and extensive experience. He also allowed three pucks past him tonight. That does not make Enroth a bad goaltender, any more than conceding four automatically makes Vuorio the problem.
If IK have limited resources, the next krona they invest must deliver the greatest possible benefit. We still believe the answer lies in front of the goaltenders.
IK need to finish building the team
It is the combination that is missing. Pontus Näsén and Ludvig Östman would add experience and stability on the blue line. Manuel Ågren would bring further quality and weight up front.
But even their return will not solve everything. In our assessment, IK need at least one established, high-end forward. Preferably two. Not necessarily an expensive first-line centre, but players who make it possible to build three scoring lines and a fourth line capable of playing real minutes.
The quality is there. Joel, Calle, Matt Brown and Sveningsson show that. But it is not sustainable to depend on too few players while also gifting away goals through a lack of experience and overcomplicated decisions.
IK do not need to be rebuilt. IK need to be finished.
The time to act was several weeks ago
We have been highlighting the need for high-end quality and depth for a long time. Now the team have lost three straight. After roughly ten rounds, the standings usually begin to indicate which teams will fight at the top. It is not a law of nature, but the points already lost are not coming back.
We believe IK have the potential to be one of the best teams in the league. But we no longer believe it is realistic to expect them to challenge at the very top without rapid and significant change. If the club act immediately, fourth to sixth may be a more reasonable target.
That is not a bad finish in HockeyAllsvenskan. But it is lower than we believe this roster could have achieved.
This is not a hopeless IK we are watching.
It is an IK that could have been so much better.
Three straight defeats. Another evening that leaves us feeling this could have been avoided.