Team of the Week

With the international break having finished, the league was back in full swing this week with a full slate of games on both Thursday and Saturday. One team who was looking to bounce back after a tough losing streak heading into the break was Brynäs. Before the international break began they had lost three in a row and had been outscored 13-4 in that span.

Thursday

Thursday evening at home saw them welcome Leksand, who were also looking to break a losing streak. Coming into the game Leksand had won the previous five matchups against Brynäs and were looking to make it six, however Brynäs had other plans.

The home team came out hard and fast and were rewarded almost immediately as Chay Genoway was able to ripple the mesh just 24 seconds into the first frame. The remainder of the opening frame was fairly evenly matched on the shot clock, as Brynäs put 10 shots on target and Leksand managed 8 of their own. However, with nine minutes elapsed in the opening frame, Brynäs struck again. This time it was Oula Palve finding the back of the net to put them up by two heading into the second frame.

The second period saw Brynäs increase their shot total from the first, hammering Kasimir Kaskisuo with 13 shots on target, one of which slipped past thanks to a shot from Noel Gunler. Veini Vehviläinen was able to turn aside all 7 shots he faced in the frame, keeping the shutout intact through 40 minutes.

The third period was the most lopsided frame on the shot clock. Despite being down by a trio of goals, Leksand managed just a pair of shots on target, neither of which was able to find its way home. Adam Pettersson would extend the lead to four with just under three minutes elapsed in the frame and Brynäs would cruise to the comfortable victory, breaking their losing streak and grabbing and important three point win.

This game was also a good debut for the newly acquired Dmytro Timashov. The 25 year old had an assist on both the second and third goal of the game.

– It was really nice to win. Of course there was a bit of pressure tonight, but I was just trying to go out and play and make it easy for me, said Timashov.

Check out highlights from the match here

Saturday

Despite Thursdays matchup coming against a big rival, Brynäs' most important game of the week came on Saturday as they visited Malmö, a team they are chasing in the standings. Coming in to the game, Brynäs sat just a single point back of the Rewhawks in the standings and both teams had 19 games played.

The first and second period were very lopsided on the shot clock, as Malmö heavily outshot Brynäs in the first and Brynäs returned the favour in the second. However, despite being outshot 13-4 in the first, Brynäs weathered the storm and Vehviläinen turned aside all pucks that came his way. Brynäs came out hard in the second and were able put 17 shots on target, but were unable to beat Oscar Alsenfelt. Despite managing just 5 shots in the frame, Malmö were able to open the scoring in the second thanks to Lance Bouma, who found the back of the net about eight and half minutes into the middle frame.

The third period opened with Brynäs finally finding the back of the net as Nick Olesen rippled the mesh just 37 seconds into the final frame of regulation. This would be all the scoring we would see in the third and the game would need extra time to decide a winner.

The first matchup of the season between these two teams was also and overtime game, however a shootout was needed to find the winner. That would not be the case this time. Nick Oleson once again found the back of the net just over two minutes into overtime and gave Brynäs the come from behind victory. With the two point win, and one to Malmö, the two teams now sit tied in points in the standings. Because of the goal differential advantage Malmö are still ahead of Brynäs in 11th.

Check out full game highlights here

Player News

Filander and Fröberg

We'll start with off ice news as both Head Coach Martin Filander and General Manager Thomas Fröberg have signed contract extensions with Oskarshamn.

Fröbergs time in Oskarshamn started in 2019 when he joined the newly promoted team in Novemebr of their first SHL season.

– I think we're taking steps all the time. Last season we came eleventh and if the goal is to get better all the time, that means that this season we have to aim for the playoffs, says Fröberg to the club's website.

His contract has been extended through the end of the 2023/24 season.

Filander is now in his second season as head coach of Oskarshamn. After being an assistant coach in Malmö for four seasons, he was appointed head coach of Oskarshamn at the start of last season.

– I think we are on the right track. It is a fantastic association to work in and a great team. We have got to the core and the joy of wanting to work and develop every day. Therefore, I am incredibly excited about continuing this journey a little longer than we had planned, says Martin Filander.

Filanders extension will also see him stay until at least the end of the 2023/24 season, with an option for an extra year.

Brace

That wasn't the only news coming out of Oskarshamn this week, however, as Canadian Cameron Brace has signed an extension with his new club. Despite having had just two seasons of professional hockey in Denmark under his belt before this season, Brace's rookie season in the SHL is off to a good start. The 28 year old has played in all 20 games so far this season, has scored 4 goals and 9 assists and racked up 29 penalty minutes.

– We are incredibly careful in our scouting work and that also applies when we checked to see if Cam would fit in with us. Many may be surprised, but we saw potential in him and see further steps he can take to develop even more, says General Manager Thomas Fröberg.

The contract extension is for one more season in Oskarshamn.

Wallin

With Färjestad off to an unexpectedly poor start, the organization has decided to mix things up and an effort to improve their performace. This week saw them release Peter Jakobsson from his role as General manager and replace him with Färjestad Legend Rickard Wallin. Wallin played for Färjestad for 11 seasons, was captain for four and won four Swedish championships with the team.

– Rickard will have the overall sporting responsibilities for Färjestad BK, be part of the association's management team and report to the board on sports issues and take over immediately. Rickard will naturally, in the short term, focus on the current season but also on the future construction and development of the association's sporting activities over time, says Färjestad's CEO Stefan Larsson.

This is Wallins first appointment as a member of team staff.

Veronneau

This news probably comes as no surprise to most people, but Max Veronneau has signed a one season extension with Leksand. The 25 year old has had a breakout start to the season, with 12 goals and 11 assists in just 19 games played. He has surpassed last seasons total (12G 6A) in 6 games less, having played just 25 games last season.

– Max is extremely skilled in the game one on one, and he has an explosiveness in his skating that few can match. Add to that his eminent sense of play, fast adjustment to the game and his scoring and we have one of the SHL's best players. It is of course very fun for us in Leksand watching him thrive with us and wanting to continue to develop in our environment, says Leksand's GM Thomas Johansson.

Rissanen

Defenceman Rasmus Rissanen will be staying in Örebro for the forseeable future. The 30 year old Fin is in his fourth season with the SHL club and has been one of their top defensive defenceman during his tenure.

– It feels completely right to stay in Örebro. My family and I really enjoy the city and the club, which is an important part. I think I have had a good development during my time here and it will be exciting to continue that journey, says Rasmus Rissanen.

Berglund

Thomas Berglunds tenure in Luleå will continue. The head coach is currently in his 5th season behind the bench and the team has seen quite a bit of success under his leadership.

– We are very satisfied with the work that Thomas and our other leaders do in the daily operations. Therefore, it feels fantastic that we will be able to continue with continuity within our strong leadership team for the coming seasons, says Luleå's GM Stefan Nilsson.

The deal extends Berglunds contract until the end of the 2023/24 season.

– It feels great that the association wanted to continue the collaboration with me and that I will continue to do so together with Henrik (Stridh), Roger (Kyrö) and Gusten (Törnqvist) as we have a good collaboration and thrive with each other both on and off the ice, he says.

Highlights

Check out this weeks top goals:

and saves: