Arvid, Elmer Soderblom cherish special rivalry special experience of playing against each other
This article first appeared on hockeysverige.se and has been translated from Swedish to English.
We’ve seen several Swedish siblings in the NHL through the years. No pair has been as prominent as the Sedin twins, who played their entire pro careers together with the Vancouver Canucks.
What we had not experienced in the NHL for almost twenty years was a Swedish goalie facing his brother. Back in 2006, New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist faced the Dallas Stars, where his twin brother, Joel, was playing.
But the other week, it happened again when Detroit Red Wings forward Elmer Söderblom and his older brother, Chicago Blackhawks keeper Arvid Söderblom, battled for the first time in an NHL regular season game.
“We met twice when I played in Skellefteå (of the SHL) and he was in Frölunda,” Arvid said. “Then we met three or four times in the American Hockey League when I was in Rockford and he was in Grand Rapids. We were in the same division then. It has also happened in a National Hockey League preseason game.”
It was uncertain whether the brothers would go up against each other. Arvid is the backup to Spencer Knight in Chicago, while his brother hasn’t been an everyday player for the Wings.
“As a goaltender, you never know if you are playing,” Arvid said. “Elmer had been in and out of the line-up a bit. I found out a few days in advance that I was going to play, but since it was an early game, Elmer got 100 percent confirmation very close to puck drop that he would be in the line-up. ‘Damn, that is fun. Let us go.’ Then we went out and competed, and then talked after the game.
“I was also at his place the day before and had dinner, but he did not know exactly yet whether he would play or not. We also did not talk that much about the game itself then — the focus was just on going out and playing a normal game. Of course, it was still a bit special.”
Arvid admits he kept a close eye on his brother during the game.
“Even in a normal game I know which opponents are on the ice. I have to know who they are and their tendencies. It was extra special because it was my brother. When he is on the ice, I know which wing he comes down, so I try to keep track of where he is at all times.”
Elmer also had a good scoring chance, but the older brother made a nice save with his right skate at the post.
“I had time to see that it was him who got the puck and that it was a two-on-one situation. You do not have time to think — as a goaltender, you just focus and watch the puck to see where it goes.
“If you start thinking too much about anything else, it does not go well. You just focus on playing the situation as it is and treat it like any normal play.”
SODERBLOM STOPS SODERBLOM 👀
A huge save by Arvid on his brother, Elmer! pic.twitter.com/SjbJKAkAYI
The save came in a 5–1 win for the Blackhawks, meaning that the older Söderblom came away on top.
“He knew he was going to get a chance, and it was a bit tough for him that he did not score. There will hopefully be more chances if we get to play against each other again”, Arvid Söderblom laughed.
Elmer Söderblom has recorded one goal in eleven games for Detroit this season.
“He has started the season being a bit in and out of the line-up and has gotten a role on the fourth line — more about going out and shutting down the opponents,” Arvid said. “I think he has played well defensively, gotten pucks deep, forechecked, played physically, and handled that role well.
“I have seen him play on the first line with their top players before, so he is a player who can handle both sides of the game. He had obviously hoped to play a bit more and to get a more offensive role, but based on the role he has been given, he has done well and earned a spot in the line-up. He keeps working, and hopefully he will get to play more and higher up in the line-up.”
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