Leksand

It was a very busy week in the SHL over the past seven days with all teams playing on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, which meant lots of points in the standings were up for grabs. However, just a single team managed to come away with all nine points available to them this week, Leksand.

It was a continuiation of a hot streak for Leksand who, before starting this week, had won four of their previous five games and were looking to continue that momemtum. Which is exactly what they did.

They started the week with a home and home against Rögle, which was a very important pair of games for both teams involved. Coming into the week Leksand sat 8th overall, just one point ahead of Rögle in the standings. Unfortunately for Rögle things did not go their way. The first two periods of Tuesdays game in Ängelholm did not impress the home crowd as Leksand scored a pair of goals in both frames and took a comfortable 4-0 lead into the third period. Despite the daunting goal difference Rögle did not give up as they absolutely peppered the net with 21 shots in the final period. Unfortunately for them, just a single one of those shots found the back of the net late in the frame and they fell 4-1.

The short series then shifted to Leksand on Thursday night. This time Rögle was the one to get off to a good start, scoring the opening goal about halfway through the first frame. Unfortunately for them that would be their only lead of the game and it would be short lived. Leksand would tie the game before the end of the first frame and then take the lead halfway through the second. The third period started much like the first, with Rögle scoring a goal and tying the game. Leksand would respond, however, with a pair of goals in quick succession late in the third and secure the 4-2 victory. With the win Leksand gave themselves a comfortable lead in the standings over Rögle and won their season series against the team from Ägelholm three games to one.

Their third and final game of the week came on Saturday evening in Örebro against a team they have struggled with all season. In their three previous matchups this season Örebro has come away with all nine points available and outscored Leksand 13-7 in those three games, so Leksand was looking to close out the season series on a high note. This game certainly was the most challenging of the week for Leksand as they found themselves down a goal heading into the third period, despite heavily outshooting Örebro. In the first two frames, Leksand outshot their opponents 23-11, but still found themselves trailing 2-1. The final six minutes of the game was absolutely wild as Örebro took the 3-1 lead just under fourteen minutes into the period. Undaunted, however, Leksand responded in a very big way. In just under three and a half minutes Leksand scored three goals, including two and the game winner from Kalle Östman and completely and electrifying comback to complete their 9 point week.

With their success over the past seven days, they now sit 7th overall in the standings, just two points out of a top six spot.

Off Ice News

Odelius

18 year old Calle Odelius got the call up this week from Färjestad as he has been loaned to them by Djurgården. The young defender was drafted 65th overall in last summers NHL entry draft by the New York Islanders. This move comes from a Färjestad team who has multiple defenceman on the injury list, so they needed to fill the gaps on the blue line.

– We need to broaden our back side, which has a challenging injury situation and are happy and grateful to be able to borrow Calle, says General Manager Rickard Wallin.

Odelius is a product of the Djurgården organization, having played with them since he was 15 years old. He also played seven games with the big team last season in the SHL and has been a mainstay on their blue line this season in HockeyAllsvenskan. The loan is short term and Odelius is expected to return to Djugården after the injured players return to Färjestads lineup.

Karlsson

A bit of an unexpected call up happened in Örebro this week as the team has borrowed Joshua Karlsson from Lindlöven in HockeyEttan. Karlsson, 22, has played a couple dozen games in HockeyAllsvenskan, but since turning pro has spent the majority of his time on the ice in the third tier league. It's unclear whether Karlsson will see any ice time with Örebro but he has been practicing with the team since Wednesday.

Quenneville

Leksand said goodbye to one of their Canadian imports this week as John Quennevilles first season in the SHL has come to an early end. Quenneville has decided to return to North America to play for The Belleville Senators in the AHL.

– John has acted incredibly professionally in the discussions about the future that we have had together and the more we have talked, the feeling, from both parties, has been that we should go our separate ways. Therefore, we choose through a mutual decision to end the collaboration as of today. Leksands IF thanks John for his time in the association and wishes him all the best in his continued hockey career, said LIF General Manager Thomas Johansson.

The move was not unexpected as there has been much speculation about Quennevilles future with the team. It has been more than a month since he last suited up for Leksand, so this move comes without much surprise. In his 19 games with Leksand he scored five goals and added seven assists.

Olkinuora

Brynäs has brought in new talent this week in 32 year old goaltender Jussi Olkinuora who joins the team after playing for the Grand Rapid Griffins in the AHL this season. He also has experience in the KHL and the Finnish League.

– I am incredibly happy to have the chance to do something good with Brynäs this year. There are many good hockey players in the team for whom I have great respect, says Olkinuora.

The Finnish tender garnered international attention after his play between the pipes lead Finland to a gold medal in last years World Cup. He was also part of Finlands gold medal winning team in the Beijing Olympics.