The outcome of this match was never in doubt. From the first faceoff to the final buzzer, HV71 dominated Södertälje in every facet of the game. Though stranger things have happened, it seems unlikely that SSK will rise from the ashes to win the next two contests.
Södertälje could perhaps be forgiven for playing a passive, nervous first period. They had lost to the same opponent in the Qualification Round last season, and were likely afraid to make mistakes. But passivity against a faster opponent is the mistake. Any player not named McDavid plays better with ample time and space to make decisions, and HV71 proved it by potting three first period goals. SSK, perhaps unaccustomed to playing from behind after an NDHL season of 30+ wins, sat back on their heels in the second frame as well. When they finally showed some moxie in the third period, it was too late to matter.
HV71, for their part, played with a confidence earned during a challenging season in the top league. It was a campaign in which the team battled a slew of injuries, the departure of key players, and plain bad luck to find themselves once again fighting to avoid relegation. The truth is, HV has not been a bad team. They work hard, they battle, and when their offense is clicking, they are dangerous to play against. They proved that tonight against SSK. Hilda Svensson recorded two goals and an assist, Viktorie Svejdova made 23 saves for the shutout, and the SDHL incumbents cruised to a 6-0 win in Game 1 of this Best of 3 series.
Södertälje will need to pull out all the stops in Game 2 to avoid being swept.