WEEKLY RECAP: SATURDAY SHOWDOWNS

Saturday

This Saturday featured some great matchups that had big implications for the standings, however, two games stood out above the rest as a pair of games featured bitter rivals in great matchups. 

The two most northern teams in the league, Skellefteå and Luleå, squared off on Saturday evening in a tight match as three important points were up for grabs. Luleå sat three points back of Skellefteå in the standings and had a chance to leap frog past them with a regulation win. 

Both teams came ready to play and both goaltenders stood tall between the pipes. Both Gustaf Lindvall and Matteus Ward refused to give and it appeared as if we were going to have a rare 0-0 game after 60 minutes of play. However, Mario Kempe would finally break the deadlock with just over five minutes remaining in regulation after he was just able to sneak one past Lindvall from in tight. That would be all the scoring the game would see and Luleå would come away with the hard fought 1-0 victory. 

Matteus Ward would end up posting a 23 save shutout and continues to impress early in the season. In 8 starts he has posted a 1.11 GAA and a .943 SV%. On the other side of the ice, Gustaf Lindvall turned aside 21 of the 22 shots he faced. With the win, the two teams are now tied in points. However, with the advantage in the goals for/against category, Luleå sits ahead of Skellefteå in the standings. 

OLA WESTERBERG / Bildbyrån

The other big matchup on Saturday that featured a bitter rivalry took place in Karlstad as league leaders Färjestad hosted Frölunda. Both teams were coming off Thursday evening losses and were both looking to bounce back after a less than stellar showing over the past few games. Just like the Luleå/Skellefteå game, this one would be a low scoring and tight affair. 

The home team would strike first in the opening frame as Per Åslund would ripple the mesh to give Färjestad the 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission. Frölunda would answer back in the second as a shot from Henrik Tömmernes would put one past Carl Lindbom. Despite no scoring in the third period, there was still plenty of action. The final frame of regulation saw a missed penalty shot and a disallowed goal, but neither team was able to break the tie before the end of 60 minutes. 

Just like the Luleå/Skellefteå game, this one featured stellar performances from both goaltenders, especially Lars Johansson. Färjestad heavily outshot Frölunda 35-21, but due to the play of Johansson between the pipes, Frölunda was able to come away with the victory in the shootout. After 3 on 3 action failed to find a winner it would be David Edstrom who would tip the scales in the shootout and give Frölunda a hard fought 2-1 victory. It would be Frölundas fist victory on the road this season. 

With the win, Frölunda propelled themselves into the top six as they now sit fifth overall with 19 points. Despite their recent struggles, Färjestad still remain at the top of the standings with 26 points. 

FREDRIK KARLSSON / Bildbyrån

HV71

The big off ice news this week is a coaching change in Jönköping. After a rough start to the season, capped off this week with an 8-0 loss to Malmö, HV71 has dismissed head coach Tomas Montén and GM Johan Lindbom has stepped into the role. 

- The sporting performance of the men's team has been poor and we have to reverse the trend we are in. We need to get new energy into the team and therefore the board has made the decision to appoint Johan Lindbom as the new head coach, says Andreas Davidsson, acting. chairman of HV71

Lindbom stepped out of the head coaching position at the end of last season to take over the General Manager role, but he will resume his position behind the bench for the time being. 

Shore

There is some good news for HV71 fans however as American Nick Shore has re-signed with the team. The 31 year old played 25 games with HV71 last season scoring five goals and adding 13 assists. He started this season on a tryout with the Carolina Hurricanes but was not offered a contract, so he has returned to Jönköping for the remainder of this season. 

- We need to sharpen the center side further and Nick was an injection when he arrived last season and showed quality and playing skills. Nick will arrive in Sweden on Monday and can hopefully be available for games at the end of the week, says HV71's sports director Kent Norberg.

Palola

Olli Palola started the season on a short term contract with Oskarshamn but has performed well enough to be given an extension. 

- Olli has done well for us and has grown into our way of playing. He is important to the team and we are happy that he wants to remain in IK, says IKO's GM Thomas Fröberg.

The 35 year old Finn has scored one goal in his six games so far. The contract is valid until the end of the season. 

SUVAD MRKONJIC / Bildbyrån

Myrenbergs

The Myrenberg brothers are staying put in Linköping as both have signed contract extensions. 

Jonathan has been a mainstay on the blueline this season, averaging 17 minutes per game of ice time and contributing with three assists. 

- A good defender with good size who is good with the puck and has had a good season so far. He had a stable trip in Mora last season, which in hindsight was useful for him as he had to play against tough opposition every night, says GM Peter Jakobsson.

Jesper, on the other hand, has appeared in just two games between the pipes for Linköping. However, with Marcus Högberg playing well, that is not surprising. The 23 year old is still young for his position but is progressing well. 

- We think that Jesper is making strides with each passing day and that is largely thanks to the collaboration with Marcus Högberg and goalkeeping coach Mikael Vernblom, says Jakobsson.

Both contracts have been extended until 2026.