This week in SHL

21 Sep 2025Ella Lundqvist»

Växjö, Frölunda, and Timrå are setting the pace at the top of the early SHL standings with nine points each. At the other end, HV71 and Linköping are still searching for their first victory after four games.

Timrå IK edged out Växjö Lakers 2-1 in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash on September 18, with goals from Didrik Strömberg (TIK), Marcus Hardegård (TIK), and Brogan Rafferty (VLH) securing the win for Timrå.

Frölunda HC remains perfect this season, most recently cruising past Luleå HF 4–1 on September 20, thanks to strikes from Noah Dower Nilsson, Noah Hasa, Arttu Ruotsalainen, and Erik Thorell.

Växjö Lakers are also making a statement, sharing the top of the standings with Frölunda and Timrå.

At the other end, Linköping HC and HV71 are struggling, having lost all their games and sitting at the bottom with zero points.

On Tuesday Brynäs IF and Luleå HF treated fans to a wild, high-paced showdown. Brynäs scored first in an evenly matched opening period, then exploded for three goals in 85 seconds to take a 4–0 lead. Luleå answered with a jaw-dropping comeback, scoring three goals in 85 seconds and adding another to tie the game before the second period ended. In the third, Luleå briefly led 5–4, Brynäs tied it after a goalie switch, but Brian O’Neil’s hat trick and an empty-net goal sealed a 7–5 win for Luleå. The game was a rollercoaster of momentum swings, comebacks, and relentless scoring bursts that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Leksand had a dream start on Thursday, racing out to a 3–0 lead within the first seven minutes. Malmö looked to be in deep trouble, but a power play goal late in the first gave them life. The Redhawks kept pushing and tied the game early in the second period, showing real resilience. Carl Persson’s second goal of the night made it 4–4 and forced overtime after Leksand had briefly regained the lead. In the extra frame, Janne Kuokkanen completed Malmö’s incredible comeback with the game-winning 5-4 strike.