SHL - monthly review, January 2018

SHL - Swedish Hockey League - Mid - January 2018 – review

Whilst Lias Andersson, Rasmus Dahlin and Elias Petterson have been making headlines with their Silver for Sweden in the Junior World Championships, back here in their home country their teammates have been sweating it out for hard earned points after the Christmas break.

With approximately 20 games left of the regular season the SHL table has fallen into 3 distinct groups:

1.  Växjö Out Front

Even without Pettersson Växjö Lakers continue to carve out winning ways gaining 6 victories out of the last 8 games, including tough away wins at top contenders, Skellefteå AIK and Frölunda Indians. They are currently 14 points ahead of the second placed team even after they inexplicable lost to lowly Rögle BK. As long as that remains the exception the strength and depth of Sam Hallam’s men mean they must be favourites to lift the Le Mat Trophy at the end of the season. And probably the Champions Hockey League trophy in February too.

2.  The Playoff Scramble

The difference between Djurgården IF (in second place) and Luleå HF (in tenth place) is only 10 points. That means we are in for a dramatic end to the regular season and, like last year, it could come down to the last game of the season to decide the overall rankings.

It really is anyone’s guess what will happen.

Brynäs IF, in ninth place, continue their incredible turn around. The team has not lost in the SHL since 21 November 2017. A special mention should go to their top Total Points getter, American Aaron Paulshaj. He sits equal fifth in the SHL’s Total Points on 36 points with none other than, Elias Pettersson.

But it not just the team from Gävle who are on a roll. Malmö Redhawks sit in sixth place after eight straight wins. Elias Pettersson scored the opening goal for Växjö in the Redhawks’ only regulation loss since Christmas. Otherwise they have won against the league’s other top 5 teams. The Redhawks seem to be flying into top gear at just the right time for the Playoffs. Partly thanks to American forward Andy Miele who has adjusted perfectly to the Swedish game leading the internal competition for Total Points with 25.

3.  The Relegation Battle

The bottom four teams in the league are also sandwiched together with only 9 points between them. A survival of the fittest battle is about to explode in the SHL for 11^th and 12^th spots which guarantee SHL hockey for the 2018/9 season. No one wants to end up in 13^th or 14^th and go into the lottery of the relegation Playoff against teams from the Hockey Allsvenskan. There could be good news for the first time this season at Rögle BK as they climb off the bottom spot. They have not lost in four outings at home since Christmas. That includes an improbable 6-2 win over Växjö Lakers, who were without Pettersson that night. Top Points getter and Goal scorer, Bryan Lerg keeps finding the net. The American is notching up more than a point every other game (0.63 PPG) to take his tally to 23 this season.

(Statistics correct as of 17 Jan 2018, circa SHL 36 matches played).

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