WEEKLY RECAP: LAKERS CLAIM TOP SPOT IN CHL

CHL

The Champions Hockey League continued this week with rounds three and four. All three SHL teams were playing at home for at least one game and two had success in front of their fans.

Unfortunately for Skellefteå they were less than stellar at home as they were shutout 1-0 by the Rouen Dragons. However they did find success on the road in Finland as they came away with the 5-3 victory over defending champs Tappara Tampere. 

Färjestad, on the other hand, impressed in their two games at home winning both contests by wide margins. Their first victory came on Friday as they won 4-1 against EHC Biel-Bienne and then came away with a huge 8-0 victory last night against the Aalborg Pirates. With their success this week they now sit fifth overall in the CHL standings. 

Växjö also impressed the hometown fans this week with their performance. They also downed the Aalborg Pirates, beating the Danish team 5-2 on Friday night. They then came away with a 4-0 shutout victory against EHC Biel-Bienne. With their pair of wins this week they now sit at the top of the standings. 

The next round of games in the CHL kick off on October 10th.

Sikura

Despite the regular season kicking off this week, there was one new acquisition by Skellefteå who have recruited 28 year old forward Dylan Sikura. The Canadian from Aurora Ontario will be getting his first taste of European hockey this season as he has spent his entire career in North America thus far.

– I have always been interested in playing in Sweden and when the opportunity came I was very interested. I have played with two guys who played in Skellefteå (Andreas Wingerli and Filip Roos) and they loved the city and the team, says Sikura.

Sikura was drafted in the seventh round by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014 and has 58 NHL games under his belt. However he has spent the majority of his professional career in the AHL. 

– Dylan is an offensively skilled player who has done well in the AHL for a long time. He is a player that we have followed for quite some time and we believe that he will fit in well with us. We look forward to having him in the team and that together we will fight for a SM gold, says Skellefteå's GM Erik Forssell

Regular Season

It's the time of year that every hockey fans looks forward to, puck drop on the regular season. It all gets underway this thursday evening with a full slate of games. Check out the full game schedule [here].