The Rogle Angelholm players celebrate with trophy and medals after winning the Champions Hockey League.
photo: Ludvig Thunman / Bildbyran / CHL
Rogle from Angelholm in the south of Sweden became the third Swedish Hockey League team to capture the Champions Hockey League title when they beat Tampere Tappara from Finland 2-1. It was the sixth time a Swedish team had won the Champions Hockey League.
”It’s our first title and a winning culture has to start somewhere. We got close to winning the SHL championship last season, and winning this now feels really good,” said Daniel Zaar, who scored Rogle’s two goals.
Christoffer Rifalk turned away 23 shots en route to the team’s first national or international championship.
“So awesome, the club and the fans are so worth this. This is magical,” Zaar said. “The atmosphere was fantastic, I had goosebumps early in the game.”
”It’s our first title and a winning culture has to start somewhere. We got close to winning the SHL championship last season, and winning this now feels really good,” said Daniel Zaar, who scored Rogle’s two goals.
Christoffer Rifalk turned away 23 shots en route to the team’s first national or international championship.
“So awesome, the club and the fans are so worth this. This is magical,” Zaar said. “The atmosphere was fantastic, I had goosebumps early in the game.”
Rogle's Daniel Zaar and Brady Ferguson celebrate after scoring the 1-0 goal in the CHL final against Tappara.
photo: Ludvig Thunman / Bildbyran / CHL
In an interesting twist of the big brother - little brother saga that is the hockey rivalry between Finland and Sweden, in the CHL final it was fine to claim that Tappara, with their 17 Finnish titles, from Finland’s third biggest city and the venue of the Worlds in May was the big brother.
However, they were the visitors, on Rogle’s home ice at Catena Arena less than ten kilometres from the actual birthplace of the hockey team that now hails from Angelholm and was once founded in Rogle as a bandy team.
“Our motto has always been to ask everyone in the club to do their best and expect to win and tonight we’ll have a chance to accomplish something we’ve been after: to win a title,” Rogle GM Chris Abbott said before the final.
“This win means a lot to the players, the fans and other supporters, for everybody with a Rogle heart,” his twin brother, coach Chris Abbott, said. “It’s special and I’m privileged to get the opportunity to coach this group of guys.”
At the outset of the game, both on the ice and in the stands, it was all Rogle and if Tappara’s plan was to steer clear the first ten minutes, and just survive the home team’s push carried by the home fans who were fired up, singing and chanting all through the pre-game ceremonies, it failed.
Rogle came flying out of the gate, and got on the scoreboard just three minutes into the game. Anton Bengtsson’s shot from the slot was blocked but the puck ended in Daniel Zaar’s stick and Zaar, who returned from the KHL to Rogle for his third tour with the team just two weeks ago, beat Christian Heljanko in the Tampere Tappara net.
However, they were the visitors, on Rogle’s home ice at Catena Arena less than ten kilometres from the actual birthplace of the hockey team that now hails from Angelholm and was once founded in Rogle as a bandy team.
“Our motto has always been to ask everyone in the club to do their best and expect to win and tonight we’ll have a chance to accomplish something we’ve been after: to win a title,” Rogle GM Chris Abbott said before the final.
“This win means a lot to the players, the fans and other supporters, for everybody with a Rogle heart,” his twin brother, coach Chris Abbott, said. “It’s special and I’m privileged to get the opportunity to coach this group of guys.”
At the outset of the game, both on the ice and in the stands, it was all Rogle and if Tappara’s plan was to steer clear the first ten minutes, and just survive the home team’s push carried by the home fans who were fired up, singing and chanting all through the pre-game ceremonies, it failed.
Rogle came flying out of the gate, and got on the scoreboard just three minutes into the game. Anton Bengtsson’s shot from the slot was blocked but the puck ended in Daniel Zaar’s stick and Zaar, who returned from the KHL to Rogle for his third tour with the team just two weeks ago, beat Christian Heljanko in the Tampere Tappara net.
The longer the first period went, though, the more Tappara could gain ground, and even created a couple of excellent chance, but couldn’t capitalize on them.
In the second period, it was Tappara who came strong and in the first seven minutes of the period, the puck was mostly in Rogle’s zone but Christoffer Rifalk in the green-and-white net held his ground.
And when Rogle got their chance on power play, they grabbed it. Zaar one-timed his second of the night from the point, off a smooth cross-ice pass from Adam Tambellini. Oskar Stal Lyrenas picked up the other assist.
In the second period, it was Tappara who came strong and in the first seven minutes of the period, the puck was mostly in Rogle’s zone but Christoffer Rifalk in the green-and-white net held his ground.
And when Rogle got their chance on power play, they grabbed it. Zaar one-timed his second of the night from the point, off a smooth cross-ice pass from Adam Tambellini. Oskar Stal Lyrenas picked up the other assist.
However, a hockey game lasts 60 minutes and when Tappara’s Valtteri Merela made it 2-1 with a snap shot from the top of the circle less than five minutes into the third period, the game came alive again.
“Guys dug in and found a way, and that’s why we’re celebrating. I’m proud of the leadership in the group and how the team has come together both in the SHL and the CHL, but in particular in the CHL, to get us this opportunity and get it done,” said coach Chris Abbott.
“Guys dug in and found a way, and that’s why we’re celebrating. I’m proud of the leadership in the group and how the team has come together both in the SHL and the CHL, but in particular in the CHL, to get us this opportunity and get it done,” said coach Chris Abbott.
Tappara played with desperation, and they gave it everything they had, but in the end, their last-minute efforts didn’t yield results.
Rogle’s championship celebrations could begin. For the first time ever.
“I’m super happy and proud. This, winning, is what we’ve been after. It’s the first title in the club’s history and therefore a huge accomplishment,” said Dennis Everberg
Now Rogle wants to do what Frolunda did in 2016 and 2019 when they went on to win the SHL title.
“We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we want to build on this success. We haven’t taken any shortcuts at all. We’re ready to put the work in,” Abbott concluded.
Rogle’s championship celebrations could begin. For the first time ever.
“I’m super happy and proud. This, winning, is what we’ve been after. It’s the first title in the club’s history and therefore a huge accomplishment,” said Dennis Everberg
Now Rogle wants to do what Frolunda did in 2016 and 2019 when they went on to win the SHL title.
“We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we want to build on this success. We haven’t taken any shortcuts at all. We’re ready to put the work in,” Abbott concluded.