WEEKLY RECAP: FÄRJESTAD IS FLYING

Färjestad

With the first eight games of the season in the bag there is one team that stands tall above the rest. Save for a single blemish on their record, Färjestad is off to a stellar start, winning seven of their first eight games on the season. 

Thursday evening saw them face off against Timrå, a team they had beaten the last 11 times they faced them and that trend would not be broken in this game. It didn't take long for Färjestad to take the lead as a goal from David Tomasek just 52 seconds into the first frame would open the scoring. A game tying goal in the first is all the real hope Timrå would get as Färjestad quickly regained the lead and never looked back. A shorthanded goal from Linus Johansson in the third period would all but seal the deal and Färjestad would eventually come away with the 5-2 win. Despite heavily outshooting Färjestad 42-22, Timrå failed to break their losing streak against the team from Karlstad, which now stands at 12. 

FREDRIK KARLSSON / Bildbyrån

Their Saturday matchup was an important one in the standings as they were facing off against Örebro, who was nipping at their heels in the standings, so it was a big three points on the line. It would be David Tomasek, once again, who opened the scoring with his sixth goal of the season late in the first period. It would be a short lived lead, however, as Emil Larsson would tie up the game with just over two minutes elapsed in the second period. It would take until the later half of the third period to find a go ahead goal as Färjestads Joel Nyström would ripple the mesh with less than five minutes remaining and they would hold on for the 2-1 win. 

With the pair of wins this week Färjestad sit alone at the top of the standings with 21 pints, a full five points clear of second placed Örebro. They are also absolutely dominating in the goals for/against stat at +18 in just eight games. The team with the next highest for/against stat is Luleå with +7. 

Juolevi

It was a fairly busy week of action off the ice over the past seven days, one of the biggest stories of the week is the recruitment of Olli Juolevi by Timrå. The 25 year old Finn was drafted 5th overall by the Vancouver Canucks back in 2016 and has bounced around the AHL and NHL over the past five seasons. 

– It's great that we were able to resolve this with Olli. We are getting a good all-round back who fits in many different roles, which will make it easier for us during a period with a lot of injuries at the back. Right now, it is best for both sides that we sign a short-term contract, says General Manager Kimmo Kapannen.

The contract is valid only until the international break in November.

Brodecki

The Växjö Lakers are in dire straights when it comes to forwards at the moment. Their front line is suffering greatly from injuries and they have gone out and brought back a familiar face to help fill some of the gaps in the roster. Adam Brodecki played with the Lakers for two seasons and won the SM gold with them back in 2018. Since then he has played for Linköping, Brynäs, Malmö, Finnish squad JYP and most recently he played for Kladno in the Czech League. 

– In the rather vulnerable injury situation on the forward side that we are in right now, it was an excellent solution to be able to bring Adam in as a temporary solution. We know Adam well, both as a person and as a hockey player, says General Manager Henrik Evertsson. 

As stated, the contract is a short term one, but no information is available on the exact length of the contract.

JONAS LJUNGDAHL / Bildbyrån

Bouma

There was a couple of veteran signings in the league this week. Although he started the season without a team, Lance Bouma played the past two seasons with the Malmö Redhawks, but he has now signed with Linköping. The 33 year old Canadian forward is an NHL veteran with seven seasons and 357 games under his belt with Calgary and Chicago. He came to Sweden in the 2020/21 season where he played half a season with Oskarshamn, before moving to Malmö for the following season. 

– It feels very exciting to bring Lance in. He is a big and strong power forward and the type of player we have been looking for for a long time. Both myself and head coach Klas Östman have had good talks with Lance and he knows what is expected from us and what we want from him here in Linköping. Of course, it is also a big advantage that he has played in the league before, says General Manager Peter Jakobsson. 

In 119 career SHL games, Bouma has scored 22 goals and added 29 assists. 

Palola

The 35 year old Finnish winger Olli Palola has landed with Oskarshamn for this season. He played last season with both Timrå as well as HIFK in Finland. Previous to that he has had two single season stints in the league, one with Rögle in 2020/21 and with Växjö in 2016/17. Oskarshamn is hoping that the new recruit can help turn things around for them. In their first eight games of the season they have managed to claim just a single victory and just two points in the standings. 

– We have some injuries on the forward side and believe that Olli can come in and help us in a good way. We agree on a short-term contract which is a good solution for both IK and Olli. He is an incredibly professional hockey player who has a lot of experience after several seasons in Europe, says General Manager Thomas Fröberg.

This contract is also short term, with no specifics on exactly how long it will last. 

SUVAD MRKONJIC / Bildbyrån