In the film Casablanca, Victor Laszlo utters the phrase, “I try,” to which Rick Blaine replies, “We all try, you succeed.”
Where other teams have tried, especially during their first time in the Champions Hockey League, Rögle Ängelholm have succeeded. Compiling a 10-2 record, the Swedish debutants have put together a historic season that has seen the club overcome opponents from across continental Europe.
Their story, however, doesn’t begin with this season, but with the season that never was. Last year, Rögle qualified for the CHL for the first time. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020/21 campaign ended before it even began, leaving the team with the task of qualifying again if they wanted to skate against Europe’s elite.
Fast forward to 2021/22, and that’s exactly what the team from Ängelholm did as they secured their place among the five Swedish allocations as Regular Season runners-up. Now, nearly a year after their qualification was announced, Rögle continue to make history as they managed to defeat reigning CHL champions Frölunda Gothenburg in their Semi-Finals series to advance to this year's Final.
"It's going to be really fun."Rögle's Christoffer Rifalk on hosting the CHL Final.
Making it this far shouldn’t be surprising considering Rögle have solidified themselves as one of the top teams throughout the 2021/22 campaign.
The Swedes housed one of the CHL’s most potent powerplays during the competition, at one point operating at a spectacular 50% - and still lead the league with an impressive 42.86%. Some CHL milestones are also in consideration, as Rögle are chasing 50 goals (44) and have already reached 10 wins. Their statistical success doesn’t stop there as the Swedish side is among the best in goals for, goal difference (+17), and goals per game (3.67).
Numbers aside, Rögle’s storied debut was teeming with tight match-ups and close finishes as the Swedish club laced up for some of the most exciting affairs of the 2021/22 installment.
One such contest was their Group Stage rematch with Swiss side EV Zug on Game Day 3. After being defeated 5-3 on home ice, the Swiss responded with one of their better performances when they traveled to Sweden. With 60 minutes in the books, both sides were tied at 1 apiece and OT was required to decide the victor. But for all their effort, Zug failed to find redemption as it would take Rögle all of 55 seconds to net the game-winning-goal courtesy of Anton Bengtsson.
Rögle’s Return Game against Sparta Prague in the Quarter-Finals saw the Swedes narrowly escape elimination. A 5-2 victory in the First Game put Rögle in prime position to book their ticket to the next round, however, a desperate push by Sparta in the Return Game would complicate matters as the Czechs closed the aggregate gap, scoring three goals in the third period. Fortunately for the Swedish club, a Brady Ferguson tally in the final frame was all the hosts needed to move on, and despite losing the game 3-1, Rögle were able to advance with an aggregate score of 6-5.
No pair of wins was bigger, though, than their recent bout with fellow SHL side Frölunda. In a series that saw the seasoned veterans suit up against the spirited newcomers, it was all about a history that was undeniable versus a history that was yet to be written. Rögle took the First Game by a final of 5-3, putting the onus on Frölunda heading into their Return Game. The reigning Champions had their skating legs to begin the second contest, but Bengtsson’s quick goal 32 seconds into the match-up helped give Rögle the boost they needed to eventually end Frölunda’s season.
For the players, achieving this feat is “a great feeling, it’s a huge deal,” according to Rögle netminder Christoffer Rifalk who manned the crease in both Semi-Final contests. Their story, however, isn't finished yet as they'll need to succeed one more time.
Looking ahead, the Swedes will host the Final where they’ll take on challengers Tappara Tampere on 1 March at 19:00 CET.
More info about the CHL Final here.