One evening when the traffic in SJ was at a standstill, the train left at Örnsköldsvik.
Modu won the series final against Södertälje 2–1, securing their thirteenth successive victory and are now eighteen points ahead of new runners-up Björklöven in the table.
It seems that the series ended before even halfway through.
Those who thought Djurgården would start the hunt for the top spot with Johan Garpenlöv as the new coach in the booth will have to wait.
The evening deep dive for newcomer Östersund was just one of many.
The special thing is that there were two teams between the two teams last season, when Djurgården played in the SHL and Gymtarna played in hockey.
This time it was evenly matched.
Östersund has now sensationally won 2-1, after turning 0-1 to victory in the last period and I’m starting to wonder if Djurgården isn’t a hair better than this.
That all the big names and comebacks have gone home safely for early retirement.
It doesn’t look better yet.
At the same time, I shouldn’t forget the injured Östersund who brought perhaps the club’s biggest ever victory. It was close to TV puck mood out there at the Östersund Arena when the final whistle blew.
Personally, I mostly followed the end of the series between Modo and Södertälje – the two best teams in the series at the moment.
And Mudu showed his mettle when they too went 0-1 down to win 2-1 with the winning goal with just two minutes left in the game.
They have now drifted away to such a top spot in the Premier League that it must be a record so far in the season.
This means eighteen (18!) Points separating the second place.
By comparison, this is exactly what separates the SHL’s league leaders Växjö and Brynäs in the qualification zone.
No other team at the top has had the ability to cling to Angermann Stadium right there at the top and the distance is only getting bigger.
They were really challenged by the hot Södertälje this evening, but withdrew when they found themselves at a huge disadvantage.
As usual.
Usually enough, Reynars Krastenbergs had the score 14-03 halfway through the first half, then managed to find a gap behind Kristers Godlavskis.
Latifan on ice.
It wasn’t entirely inconsequential in this situation, as Södertälje played aggressively in their area and created a lot going forward. After a perfectly equal initial period, Modo narrowly won second place.
But it was SSK who scored the goal. Modo has now shown his ability to come back and turn games around. I have to say that coach Matthias Carlin is the best coach of the match.
He always had the ability to see the game and make the small changes needed.
It is one of his – and Modo’s – greatest assets.
The equaliser, now 3.53, came in the last period, when Rogl’s loanee Theodor Nederback set up Mikita Talabella’s closest cross.
The Belarusian was called Nikita Tolopelo until October, when his name was translated according to the Russian form.
A completely different name – and a completely different goalkeeper.
He played great tonight, but Dan Mikkel Agard managed to score the winning goal in the final minutes.
Södertälje should also be celebrated.
It’s just as good as the table position shows.
Now Bjorkloven have won after a strong final race against Moura away from home, going 3-2 6-3 clear in the last period.
We should also start a crisis club in Allsvenskan hockey, it’s AIK now.
A team that invested a lot before this season and a lot of people believed in it.
But after another away loss and 1-4 against Västervik, AIK is 12th and just above the qualification mark. AIK Away is a puzzle. They were dead last away without a three-pointer in twelve games.
They only got four points after winning two penalties.
Now they lost to what was the worst team at home before Wednesday’s round. Västervik has only taken one pointer home at Plivit Arena before.
It was the home match that saved AIK, as they finished fourth in the table.
They are Allsvenskan hockey and they are Jekyll and Mr. Hyde..
A team with two completely different sides.
Of course, there shouldn’t be much difference and I wonder how safe Coach Anton Blomqvist is. He is far from getting the most out of this team.