Elitserien decided by empty net goal

05 Mar 2011 | Fredrik Pålsson

Just as expected the final round of Elitserien was a real thriller and HV71 won the league by winning the last game 2-1 after an empty net goal with only seconds left to play. Södertälje and MoDo the big losers of the last round when they end up in the relegation round,

With just minutes left of the game between Södertälje and HV71 the score was tied 1-1. As the other results stood Södertälje needed three points to avoid the relegation round and HV71 needed three points to win the regular season. Södertälje pulled the goalie and with only 7 seconds left to play Johan Davidsson scored on the empty net to give HV71 the league title and the important home advantage through the playoff. At the end three teams ended up on 96 points. HV71 and Färjestad had the same goal difference but HV71 won the league on more goals scored. Skellefteå were two goals behind.

Luleå,Linköping, Djurgården and Brynäs were also already qualified for the playoffs before the last round while newcombers AIK grabbed the last playoff post by beating MoDo 3-2. A result that sent MoDo down to last place an horrible result for the classic club. Frölunda won their last game but failed to reach the playoff despite probably having the highest pay roll in the league. Timrå took a crucial win 2-1 at home to Djurgården and avoided Kvalserien (the relegation round). Södertälje and MoDo will play the top four teams from Allsvenskan for two spots in next season's Elitserien.

The quarter finals pick are done and HV71 (1) selected AIK (8), Färjestad (2) picked Brynäs (7) while Skellefteå chose to play Linköping (5). That left the match up between Luleå (4) and Djurgården (6). The playoff starts on Tuesday, check back for a summary of the regular season and preview of the playoffs,