Šapovalivová and Thuvik Shine in Final SDHL Games of 2024

The final SDHL games of 2024 are in the books. Here's a look at Monday's action.

MoDo opened the scoring early in the first period when Darcie Lappan converted a beautiful Adéla Šapovalivová pass on the rush. Luleå, ever patient, controlled the play for large parts of the second period, but could not score past Andrea Brändli, who turned away a number of tough chances. The defending champions finally equalised halfway through the third period when Viivi Vainikka scored her second in as many games off a rebound on the doorstep. Following the goal, Luleå dominated possession and scoring chances, and it seemed like just a matter of time before they would take the lead. Both Savannah Norcross and Vainikka had chances to win it late, but were denied again by Brändli, whose 27 saves gave young Šapovalivová the opportunity that she needed. With 90 seconds left in regulation time, she entered the offensive zone on the rush and received a drop pass from teammate Mariam El-Mahmadi before toe dragging and unleashing a bullet past Luleå keeper Sara Grahn. The goal proved to be the game-winner. Šapovalivová’s recent stretch of 13 points in 10 games bodes well for MoDo heading into the final third of the season. Their win tonight sent a message: Luleå’s spot at the top of the standings is not safe, and the champs are not untouchable.

MoDo’s next opponent is Djurgården on January 3. Luleå has a long break until they next play, also against Djurgården, on January 10.

Skellefteå did what they have been doing all season, and forced the game into extra time, thus stealing a point in the standings. SKE’s goaltender Camryn Drever was excellent, stopping 42 of 44 shots through regulation and overtime before finally succumbing in the shootout. Brynäs played well in front of back up goalie Emmy Nordström-Åmark. They blocked shots and cleared rebounds and kept their breakout simple and straightforward, which minimised Skellefteå’s chances and offensive zone possession time. First period shots were 13 to three in favor of Brynäs, and they were rewarded with a 1-0 lead when Hanna Thuvik scored her ninth of the season. Thuvik has shown flashes of brilliance this year, and can take control of a game when she is at her best. Brynäs doubled their lead early in the third period when Fanni Garát Gasparics notched her second of the season on the power play. Four minutes later, Skellefteå clawed one back when Ellen Lövgren, who had missed on a penalty shot earlier in the game, sniped past Nordström-Åmark to make it 2-1. Two and a half minutes later, SKE teammate Ida Kuoppala tied the game at two apiece. The game went to overtime, and then to a shootout, where Thuvik put on a show. Her team’s fourth shooter, she scored to put Brynäs ahead 1-0. Skelleteå’s Nicoline Søndergaard Jensen then scored to tie, and Brynäs sent Thuvik out a second time. She made no mistake, again sniping past Drever to put her team up 2-1. Brynäs needed their young goalie to make one more save and she did, sealing the shootout victory in the SDHL’s final game of 2024.

Brynäs meets Linköping at home on January 3. Skellefteå has a longer break, until January 10, when they also face Linköping.