Overtime goal caps off championship performance for ‘08 Nacka HK
After collecting just two points during Nacka HK’s group play schedule at the 2023 U15 Uplandia Trophy, Mikael Kim turned it on in the playoffs. With one of the hottest sticks among all skaters, Kim finished first in multiple offensive categories, including total points (8), goals (4) and assists (4). A run that led Nacka to the final game against AIK Hockey, where Kim played the hero by scoring an overtime goal to secure the championship.
Ermeskog, Lorentzon light up scoresheet in group play
Despite Kim’s slow start to the tournament, Arvid Ermeskog (4G, 2A) and Love Lorentzon (2G, 3A) did a majority of the heavy lifting in the points department during the group stage. Lorenzton had his best game during the second day of action, where he scored four points (2G, 2A) in an 8-0 win against Rauman Lukko. Ermeskog also recorded two multi-point performances in two of the team’s five group games.
With both players contributing to an impressive attack, Nacka finished its group schedule with a plus-14 goal differential, the best among all participating clubs. Strong offense and dependable defense would continue into the playoff rounds, where the team followed it up with a plus-six goal differential in three contests. While the points from Ermeskog and Lorentzon were not as prevalent, the stage was set for Kim to raise his profile at the tournament.
Kim’s dynamic display of offense
Kim helped Nacka open their playoff slate with a 6-4 victory against MoDo Hockey. It would be his best game statistically, tallying two goals and four points. He followed that up with a three-point performance in a 3-0 shutout of SDE Hockey. Following those victories, the lone club standing between Nacka and the championship was AIK.
Alexander Hedberg Bouveron opened the scoring in the first period when he finished off a pass from Liam Thunberg. Just 23 seconds after, Viggo Låhdö knotted the score at 1-1. Late in the period, Nacka would go back up 2-1 off a goal from Sam Tillström.
Max Balk managed to slip a shot by Gustav Stengård to even things up again in the second period. Chances continued back-and-forth in the third period, but neither side was able to convert.
Heading to overtime, Kim made quick work of the extra frame. He settled down a pass from Leo Schlegel and sent it into the net just 23 seconds in. The goal was his fifth of the tournament and 10th point overall. Nacka closes out 2022-23 with an Uplandia Trophy seven months after it began the season with a Sweden Hockey Trophy championship.
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