Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond 2019/20

[Per]

So, this is what happens now for the teams playing in Hockeyallsvenskan (SHA) in Sweden:

1. Björklöven
2. Modo

These two teams square off in the Hockeyallsvenskan Final, best out of five.
Tickets to Björklöven's two first home games sold out in less than 9 minutes, and the game in Örnsköldsvik has also sold out.
As will the tickets to any further games, if Björklöven doesn't sweep...

The winner of this series then plays Oskarshamn, the team finishing last in the SHL, for the rights to play there next season in a best out of seven series.

Meanwhile the following group all play eachother once:

3. Timrå (3 bonus points)
4. Karlskoga (2 bonus points)
5. Västerås (1 bonus point)
6. Vita Hästen
7. Södertälje
8. Västervik

The teams finishing 3-5 in the regualr season have bonus points that they carry with them, and also get three home games whereas the teams finishing 6-8 have no bonus points and only get two home games.

When all teams have played eachother, the team winning the series will face the losing team from the Hockeyallsvenskan final in a best out of three Playoff series. The winner of the Playoff then faces Leksand, the team finishing second to last in the SHL in a seven game series over their slot in the SHL.

I'm hoping that both Oskarshamn and Leksand end up being demoted and that they are replaced with Björklöven plus either Modo or Timrå.

[Per]

First game of the hockeyallsvenskan final.

Björkloven got an early 2-0 lead, but now it’s tied at 3-3.

Waiting for the fifth period to begin.

[Per]

First game of the hockeyallsvenskan final.

Björkloven got an early 2-0 lead, but now it’s tied at 3-3.

Waiting for the fifth period to begin.

#@%&#@#!!!

The Hockey Gods are unfair.
Björklöven were the better team.
They outshot Modo 57-39. Won the shots in four of five periods. Were tied in the 4th.
They had 55% puck possession. 50% in the first period. 56% in the 2nd. 59 in the 3rd. 53 in the 4th. 59 in the 5th.
And they lose to f•••ing Modo.

Two fairly soft goals allowed by Cannata, which is unlike him.
Hopefully won’t happen again.

[Cornuck]

First game of the hockeyallsvenskan final.

Björkloven got an early 2-0 lead, but now it’s tied at 3-3.

Waiting for the fifth period to begin.

#@%&#@#!!!

The Hockey Gods are unfair.
Björklöven were the better team.
They outshot Modo 57-39. Won the shots in four of five periods. Were tied in the 4th.
They had 55% puck possession. 50% in the first period. 56% in the 2nd. 59 in the 3rd. 53 in the 4th. 59 in the 5th.
And they lose to f•••ing Modo.

Two fairly soft goals allowed by Cannata, which is unlike him.
Hopefully won’t happen again.

Kinda sounds like a Canucks game... :/ You must have a masochistic streak in you.

[Strangelove]

The Hockey Gods are unfair.

Bite your tongue!!

He didn't mean it, he didn't mean it!!!

[Cherry Picker]

I guarantee he didn’t mean it.

[Meds]

First game of the hockeyallsvenskan final.

Björkloven got an early 2-0 lead, but now it’s tied at 3-3.

Waiting for the fifth period to begin.

#@%&#@#!!!

The Hockey Gods are unfair.
Björklöven were the better team.
They outshot Modo 57-39. Won the shots in four of five periods. Were tied in the 4th.
They had 55% puck possession. 50% in the first period. 56% in the 2nd. 59 in the 3rd. 53 in the 4th. 59 in the 5th.
And they lose to f•••ing Modo.

Two fairly soft goals allowed by Cannata, which is unlike him.
Hopefully won’t happen again.

Kinda sounds like a Canucks game... :/ You must have a masochistic streak in you.

Was just thinking that.

Any Canucks fan should know that it isn't about the quantity of the shots but rather the quality.

[Per]

Any Canucks fan should know that it isn't about the quantity of the shots but rather the quality.

Yeah, but they hit the frame like five times.

Also, it’s the quality of the opposing goalie. At the end of January Modo managed to get hold of Bartosak, who has been the best goaltender of the Czech league for several years running and is a regular on their national team at the World Championships. He switched teams ahead of this season, and somehow did not really get his shit together with the new team. Around xmas they decided to go separate ways. Most Czech teams wanted him, but he wanted a change of scenery and ended up signing on for Modo.

The first goal he let in last night was kind of soft, but after that he was a monster. All three Björklöven goals came on the power play. Five on five they just couldn’t get it past him. At one point he had over committed to his left and a Björklöven player should just lift the puck into an open goal, but Bartosak somehow whacks it away midair with his stick.

Mind you, Cannata made some sick saves too. But last night Bartosak was the better goalie.

[Per]

Also rumours they may ban gatherings of more than 500 Norway already did.

I hope they get their shit together and realize that that kind of measures, while reasonable, should only be imposed after the end of the hockey season.

Sold out playoff games are an important tool to gain financial muscle ahead of next season, which is crucial in a non cap environment where all players not under contract are free agents.

Whether or not Björklöven succeeds in being promoted to the SHL, these games are a godsend.
To cancel them, or have them played without people in the stands, could be devastating for the team’s economy.

[Per]

[Per]

Two goals by Linus Karlsson as his Karlskoga lost 8-3 to Dahlén’s Timrå.
Jonathan also had two goals, plus three assists.

So, still not happy with the deal, but Linus has definitely gotten better after he switched teams.

[Per]

Btw, this was the last night that they allowed spectators at the games. As off now, any gathering of more than 500 people has been banned in Sweden. They are thinking of postponing the SHL playoffs. There is only one round remaining of the regular season, and those games will be played in front of empty stands.

The games deciding which teams will be demoted or promoted between the leagues will continue, but without spectators. It would be too cruel cancelling them, considering how much effort teams have put into getting a shot at promotion.

This will be a blow to their economy though, as you still have costs for travel, security, etc, for the games but you won’t get any income.

If you watched the video I posted too from game one, and heard the noise from the crowd, this will also be a huge change. Björklöven and Modo hail from neighbouring cities, only some 110 kms apart. All games would be sold out, and even though the rivalry is not as intense as that we have with Skellefteå, it’s definitely there. The atmosphere is sick at those games, and no they will play in front of empty stands... Unreal.

[Per]

The SHL playoffs will start March 24th instead of March 14th.

Each series will be decided in best out of five, instead of the usual seven.
At present spectators are not allowed, so the games will be played in front of empty stands, but this could change if recommendations change.

[Megaterio Llamas]

NHL News/Rumors
@puck_report2
- Swiss National League canceled remainder of season
- SHL playoffs postponed to March 24. Rest of regular season without fans
- Hungarian/Romanian ErsteLiga canceled remainder of season
- Slovenia canceled all hockey operations
- Denmark playoffs suspended until April 1 at least

https://twitter.com/puck_report2/status ... 32289?s=20

[Per]

NHL News/Rumors
@puck_report2
- Swiss National League canceled remainder of season
- SHL playoffs postponed to March 24. Rest of regular season without fans
- Hungarian/Romanian ErsteLiga canceled remainder of season
- Slovenia canceled all hockey operations
- Denmark playoffs suspended until April 1 at least

https://twitter.com/puck_report2/status ... 32289?s=20

Norway has also cancelled the remainder of the season.