WEEKLY RECAP: THE FINAL FOUR

Quarterfinal Wrap Up

There was a rare occurrence in the SHL playoffs this season as fans were treated to game 7's in three of the four quarterfinal series. Växjö/Luleå, Färjestad/Frölunda and Örebro/Timrå all went the distance and wrapped up their series this past week. 

Despite being the heavy underdog coming into the series and the lowest seed still remaining in the post season, Luleå put up one heck of a fight against the heavily favoured Växjö Lakers. Other than a 7-2 loss in game 3, all other game in the series were tightly contested, game 7 would be no different. Luleå have not had good luck in recent history when it comes to game sevens and, unfortunately for them, that bad luck would continue. Despite scoring a goal in the first to tie the game at one, that would be all the offence they could muster. Robert Rosén would score the go ahead and eventual game winning goal in the second period to give the Lakers the 2-1 victory and send them through to the semi finals. This marks the fourth straight game 7 loss for Luleå.

JONAS LJUNGDAHL / Bildbyrån

Luleås Leo Komarov and Växjös Dan Sexton.

Timrå was not looking like they were going to put up much of a fight against Örebro after going down two games to none to open the series. However, they managed to come back and force a game 7 on Wednesday evening in Örebro. Just like in the series, Timrå allowed Örebro to jump out front in game 7 and were staring down a 3-0 deficit heading into the third period. Despite the daunting task ahead of them they put forth a valiant effort and managed to score a pair of goals. Unfortunately it was too little too late as they couldn't manage to find the game tying goal and Örebro came away with the 3-2 victory. This will be just the second time Örebro makes an appearance in the semis. 

JOHAN BERNSTRÖM / Bildbyrån

Oliver Eklind celebrating a goal for Örebro.

The final game 7 was between bitter rivals Färjestad and Frölunda in Karlstad. Unfortunately for the hometown fans, this game would not go the way they had hoped. Frölunda would get off to an absolute dream start, scoring a pair of gals in the opening six minutes of the first frame and they would never look back. A lone goal from Färjestad in the second period is all they could muster and a Frölunda goal in the third would seal the deal. Joel Lundqvist, in his final season before retirement, and Frölunda punched their ticket to the semis with the 3-1 victory.

FREDRIK KARLSSON / Bildbyrån

Frölunda after winning game 7 against Färjestad.

Semi Finals

The semi finals kicked off on Friday evening in Växjö as the Lakers put on a great show for the hometown fans against Frölunda. The game would be very back and forth through the first two periods as both teams would score a pair throughout the opening forty minutes. However, the flood gates opened in the third as the Lakers would pot four goals in the final frame of regulation and come away with the big 6-2 victory in game 1. 

Last nights game 2 would shift back to Gothenburg and just like game 1, the hometown team would come away with a big offensive performance. Four goals in the final two frames of regulation was more than enough for Frölunda as they came away with the 4-2 victory to tie the series at one. Game 3 shifts back to Växjö for a Tuesday evening matchup.

Just one game has transpired in the other series as Örebro visited Skellefteå on Saturday. Unlike the other series, it would not be the hometown team coming away victorious in this one. However, just like game one in the other series, it would be the third period that would make the difference in this one. Both teams would score a pair of goals in the opening forty minutes, but Örebro would come out firing on all cylinders in the third. Three goals in the final six minutes of the frame, including two in just 25 seconds would secure the big 5-2 victory for Örebro. The series now shifts back to Örebro as they have an opportunity to take a two game lead on the series tonight.