Elin Svensson continues to heat up as she lifted HV71 to a 2-1 overtime win over Linköping in the E44 Series.
Elin Svensson continues to heat up as she lifted HV71 to a 2-1 overtime win over Linköping in the E44 Series.
In the 41st meeting of the two teams since the SDHL’s inception, HV71’s captain Elin Svensson scored in overtime to give her squad the 2-1 victory and two important points in the standings. Prior to this evening’s matchup, Linköping led the so-called E44 Series (E44 is the highway that runs between the towns of Linköping and Jönköping, home of HV71) by 26 wins to HV’s 14.
After a scoreless and relatively uneventful first period, HV took the lead in the second on a goal by Julia Nearis, her fourth since joining the team in late September. Teghan Inglis and Jenna Raunio earned assists on the play, but credit should also be afforded to HV’s sparkplug Kennedy Bobyck, whose dynamic play created opportunities for her team on virtually every shift, including this one.
LHC, outshot 23-12 after two periods, pushed back in the third, when Olivia Sohrner finished off a nice passing play to tie the game at one apiece.
The game went to overtime, where HV’s captain Elin Svensson took matters into her own hands, first looking positively Jagr-esque as she protected the puck wide right before driving the net and attempting to stuff the puck past goaltender Svensson Träff. Her chance was denied on the doorstep. Undeterred, Svensson drove again on the next possession, this time down the left wing past a helpless-looking Haruka Toko before depositing the game winner five-hole on Svensson Träff. With the win, HV earned two important points in the standings and improved their record in the E44 Series to 15 wins and 26 losses.
HV71 is back in action on Friday against Luleå. LHC has a week off before again meeting HV71, this time in Linköping.