Danish league ready for playoffs
21 Feb 2012 | Henrik Lundqvist
The regular season of Danish AL-Bank Ligaen ended yesterday and now the quarter final match-ups are decided. Regular season winner SønderjyskE will play Herlev Eagles.
The Danish regular season ended yesterday and the playoffs will start on Thursday. SønderjyskE who won the regular season got to pick their quarter final opponent from teams 5-8 and they choose Herlev Eagles. Runner-up Odense Bulldogs got to pick from the three remaining teams and decided for Frederikshavn Whitehawks. Herning Blue Fox selected EfB Ishockey and the remaing teams Rødovre Mighty Bulls and AaB Ishockey will play the fourth quarter final series.
Just like last season the Danish AL-Bank Ligaen regular season had an average of 1,300 fans per game. A number that the Danish federation is satisfied with.
SønderjyskE was outstanding with 92 points. Second placed Odense got 78. Then followed Herning (74), Rødovre (67), AaB (61), Herlev (49), Frederikshavn (46) and EfB (45). The only team to miss the playoffs was ninth placed Copenhagen Hockey (28 points).
Top scorer and top goal scorer was EfB's
Jordan Smotherman who scored 31 goals and assisted to 29.
The president of the League Association, Klaus B. Rasmussen comments the season like this: "The league has been very close, where everyone has been able to beat everyone. And it is so really liberating to see so many young talented players seize the opportunity when they received it.
It's going to give Danish ice hockey a lot also in the long run."
The quarter finals are played in best-of-seven and start with these games:
Bulldogs Odense - Frederikshavn White Hawks
(Thursday, February 23 at 19.30)
Blue Fox Herning - EfB Hockey
(Thursday, February 23 at 19.30)
Rødovre Mighty Bulls - AaB Ice hockey
(Thursday, February 23 at 19.30)
SønderjyskE - Herlev Eagles
(Friday, February 24 at 21.00. - Live on TV 2 Sport)