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Weekly Report Week 44
This has been a difficult week for all Malmö Redhawks fans. The fan club traveled up to the northern cities of Umeå and Skellefteå to support their favourite team. One of the loyal gang, Benny Hansson(Age 43), passed away suddenly early on Sunday morning in Umeå. A traumatic event for all the fans and club but especially for those who had been travelling with Benny
There were two games on this road trip. The first on Friday night was against Skellefteå AIK who were challenging Malmö at the top of the Allsvenskan table.
Both teams cancelled each other out in a scoreless first period. Malmö came out for the second stronger and a slick offense alongside a tight defense saw them come in 3 -0 up at the end of the second. Malmö had not lost a third period all season. That was soon going to change.
Skellefteå captain, Magnus Wernblom, was the main architect of Malmös downfall. Wernblom fell too easily when Skellefteå were already one man up in a powerplay. Now they had 5 on 3. With only four seconds left on the first penalty Skellefteå made in 3 1. 31 seconds later it was 3-2 and with Brett Harkins making it 3-3 the game seemed destined for overtime. Malmö failed to take advantage of a powerplay and with less than a minute left on the clock Magnus Wernblom made it 4-3 to AIK on a breakaway. Wernbloms celebrations didnt help the atmosphere when he laughed derisively at the Malmö bench. Redhawks tempers flared and some fisticuffs followed ( taken more seriously by Swedish referees compared to the American leagues). Redhawks pulled their netminder, Corey Hirsch but Skellefteå scored into an empty net before the final whistle.
On the Sunday, Redhawks were pencilled in to face Björklöven in Umeå. However tragic news reached the team and management on Sunday morning. A true supporter, Benny Hansson, had died in Umeå during the night. He was only 43 years old. The team wanting to honour the memory of Benny played the game wearing black armbands. They dedicated the game in Bennys honour. And what a dedication it was.
Malmö won the game easily 8-2 after goals from Tomik(2), Norgren (2), Forsberg, Savage, Matthiasson, Sjögren.
After the game there was a great connection between the team and the fans who had travelled so far to see their team play. The sense of loss was very apparent and a sense of support, consideration, love and respect was evident amongst both the fans and team.
There are no games being played over the next week as the international team are in action. On Wednesday November 16th Malmö continue on their travels for the fifth time when they face Nyköping away.
A special thanks to John Noonan for helping me to get the language straight!
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