The usual suspects, players like Maja Nylén-Persson, Hanna Thuvik, Sini Karjalainen, and Petra Nieminen hit the scoresheet, while Kassidy Sauve and Andrea Brandli were big between the pipes on the opening night of the SDHL season.
The SDHL season opened Friday night. here's a look at each of the games.
Brynäs 4 - HV71 1
The Usual Suspects opened the scoring for Brynäs as Hanna Thuvik redirected a Maja Nylén-Persson point shot, marking the very first goal of the SDHL season. Nylen-Persson demonstrated why she was selected 10th overall by New York in this summer’s PWHL draft, looking positively Makar-esque as she danced the offensive blue line creating passing and shooting lanes throughout the game.
Linköping 2 - Skellefteå 1
Freshly promoted Skellefteå gave Linköping a scare, with Sini Karjalainen scoring the game’s first goal on the powerplay in the second period. Skellefteå’s lead would not hold, however, as Linköping eventually triumphed thanks to Lova Blom’s game-winning powerplay marker.
SDE 2 - Leksand 0
Newly acquired goaltender Kassidy Sauvé’s heroics salvaged a 1-0 SDE lead that seemed to hang by a thread due to numerous defensive lapses and turnovers in the second period. SDE defenseman Emma Bergesen, who tallied a goal and an assist in her SDHL debut, gave her team some breathing room when she scored to make the game 2-0 in the 59th minute, while Sauvé preserved the shutout.
MoDo 2 - Frölunda 1
MoDo eked out the win despite being heavily outshot by a hungry Frölunda. After allowing a first period Frölunda tally by Sofie Lundin, Swiss national team netminder Andrea Brändli shut the door the rest of the way. Newcomer Alexie Guay scored the game-winner for MoDo thanks to a third period powerplay. Expect to hear the names Brändli and Guay often this season as MoDo looks to win their first championship since 2011-2012.
Luleå 3 - Djurgården 2
Petra Nieminen’s powerplay goal early in the third period proved to be the difference maker as reigning champions Luleå managed a closer than expected win over a tenacious Djurgården squad.