Fresno scored in the second period and again in the third to tie it up 2-2. With seconds left to go, Idaho’s Videen appeared to have scored the winning goal, but the net was knocked off its moorings by a Fresno player and ruled no goal. 
Less than 30 seconds into overtime, Gabe Gollette scored off an assist from Stanley and Karlsson and Idaho clinched victory 3-2 to sweep the four-game series over Fresno.

Tom Grote, Editor and Publisher
The Star-News
1000 First St. McCall, ID 83638
(208) 634-2123
starnews@citlink.net
www.mccallstarnews.com

BY KYLA SAWYER

For The Star-News

Idaho Junior Steelheads’ left-winger Victor Karlsson had beaten the

two Valencia Flyers’ defensemen just as the puck came around the

boards.

With a flick of the wrist, Karlsson backhanded a shot over the

Valencia goalie’s shoulder into the net to score and give Idaho a 2-1

lead over the Flyers.

“It was actually one of the nicest goals I’ve had since coming here,”

Karlsson said after the Junior Steelheads defeated Valencia, 8-2, on

Saturday at Manchester Ice and Event Centre in McCall.

This is Karlsson’s third season playing hockey “here” in the United States.

 

Minnesota to Texas

The Stockholm, Sweden, native began his hockey career around age 6

and was 17 years old when his family supported Karlsson’s decision to

come to the U.S., where he played hockey for Cloquet High School in

Minnesota.

“I always wanted to come to America for the high school experience,

and I was lucky enough to play for one of the top high school hockey

teams in the country,” he said.

Before becoming an Idaho Junior Steelhead, Karlsson played in the

North American Hockey League for the Wichita Falls Wildcats in Texas.

Now 20 years old, the 6-foot-1 import is one of the Western States

Hockey League’s top 20 players who’s about to make a goal of his own

- to play college hockey.

“Victor’s had a great year, and he’s got the well-deserved attention

from schools; he’s going to be a good college hockey player,” Junior

Steelheads head coach John Olver said.

“He’s had some NCAA Division III schools make him some offers, so

right now he’s in the process of trying to decide where he’s going to

go,” Olver said.

McCall Mountaineers hockey player Christian Widen and his family

billet Karlsson when Idaho plays in McCall.

 

Smart on the Ice

Widen, a McCall resident who also hails from a small town outside

Stockholm, says he’s impressed with Karlsson’s maturity and

intelligence on the ice.

“He makes decisions that are good for the team, and he’s mature in

the sense that he doesn’t have a big head about his own game,” Widen

said.

Karlsson also is has strong puck-handling skills, which is unusual

for someone of his size, Widen said.

Karlsson brings a lot of finesse with his game, Olver said.

“Along the boards and in the corner, he just always seems to come up

with the puck – always,” Olver said.

Many Swedish hockey players stay home and work their way up the

European leagues before moving on to the NHL, but Karlsson’s personal

goals are clear.

“I want to go to college, play hockey and do well, and then after

that, maybe play pro somewhere in Europe,” he said.

Until then, he’s content to stay in the U.S.

“I don’t regret anything – I’ve come here and I love it,” Karlsson said.

- Junior Steelheads sweep Valencia, prepare for showdown with rivals

from Fresno. See Sports, Page A-10.

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