SDHL Playoff Preview: Svensson Träff vs Everybody

Frölunda's offensive juggernaut could meet its match in Linköping's pint-sized shutout machine in the opening round of the SDHL playoffs.

Frölunda has all the talent, but they're up against a Linköping team that can steal games. Here's a look at the opening round SDHL playoff series between the teams.

Stacked but inconsistent is how Frölunda’s team could be described this season. The squad has no shortage of firepower, and scored 124 goals, behind only first place Luleå’s 130. FHC boasts four of the league’s top scorers in Elisa Holopainen, Hanna Olsson, Michelle Karvinen and Sofie Lundin, and won 26 games this season, but questions remain about their ability to play a full 60 minutes. Rather than milking their talent to ruthlessly rack up goals and wins, the team had a frustrating habit of taking their foot off the gas and giving up leads throughout the campaign. Respect where respect is due, of course: Frölunda is a very good team, and when they stay focused, they might very well be the league’s best. Indeed, they beat eventual regular season champions Luleå three times this season, and lost only once, in overtime. Frölunda will enter the playoffs on a seven game winning streak, last having lost over a month ago. Goaltender Steph Neatby is a gamer who thrives in the spotlight. Andrea Dalen has found her scoring touch again, and has morphed back into the offensive threat she was before illness and injury slowed her roll. Newcomer Sydney Brodt may not be tall, but she is mighty, and has powered her way to eleven points in her last ten games. If Linköping is to have any hope of winning this series, they will need excellent goaltending. Ebba Svensson Träff, who registered a league-leading eight shutouts this season, seems up to the challenge.

Linköping stole their only win against FHC back in December, when Svensson Träff stopped 45 of 47 shots. It was a game that Linköping could use as a blueprint for success in this first round series. Frölunda took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, and looked to have full control, outshooting LHC 16-7 in the opening frame. Frölunda also dominated possession and shooting in the second and third periods, but Svensson Träff was flawless, and her teammates clawed their way back to take the late win, 3-2. Linköping, with talents like big, smart Sara Hjalmarsson, speedy Lova Blom, relentless Naomi Rogge and clever Lindsay Agnew, has a chance to win when their goalie is at her best. If Ann-Frédérique Guay can find the form that made her an imposing scorer during her in the NCAA, Linköping could prove become giant killers. 

Fearless Prediction: Frölunda wins series 3-1