HV71 came into the match against Luleå as the SHL’s hottest team with six victories behind them. The team put in a solid performance, but eventually had to capitulate after extra time, with Brendan Shinnimin deciding for the visitors from the north. Linköping played the first game of the season without just kicking head coach Klas Östman behind the bench and the team played up, but did not rise to Frölunda’s high level and fell with a couple of pucks. On Saturday, the team faces HV in a match where the winner stays above the line. Leksand continues to go heavy. On Boxing Day, they took on an Olli Jokinen-rested Timrå and were beaten 2–4 – the team’s sixth loss in the last seven games. Malmö have been dangerously close to the line at times but have recently looked better. At home against Växjö, they were at a disadvantage for a long time, but managed to turn the deficit into victory after goals from Joona Ikonen and Johan Olofsson. They are now eighth in the table. It was a fun evening in the barn for all the Färjestad supporters who got to see their team play really well against a Rögle team that didn’t keep up at all. Oskar Steen sometimes did exactly what he wanted on the ice and accounted for three points. He tops the scoring league with 18 goals and the team is second in the table after tonight’s victory. The top against the bottom in Gävle where Brynäs outplayed Modo in the second period. A more even third period followed, but the damage was already done and Brynäs walked away with the victory with 5–2. A Skellefteå team – without JVM star Axel Sandin Pellikka – went to Örebro for a tough away game but returned home with all three points after a 4-2 victory. They now have four straight victories and are in the top six.
t4-general