Frölunda Halts Losing Skid Topping League Leaders Luleå; Three One-Goal Games Mark Sunday SDHL Action

Michelle Karvinen’s OT dagger earned redemption for Frölunda, and three one goal games highlighted the SDHL’s action this weekend. Here’s a look at all the SDHL action:

Frölunda 2 – Luleå 1 (OT)

In this highly anticipated rematch between two of the SDHL’s top teams, fans were treated to a high speed, back and forth game that delivered intensity and excitement. The teams’ previous meeting this season saw Luleå dominate possession as they outshot Frölunda 34-13, only to lose 3-1 nonetheless.

The first period was a back and forth affair, each team peppering the other’s goaltender with shot after shot. Luleå struck first when a Nadia Mattivi point shot was deflected by Jaycee Magwood in front, and the puck bounced to Linnea Johansson, alone on the doorstep. Johansson made no mistake, and shovelled the puck past a helpless Stephanie Neatby to make it 1-0 Luleå. Frölunda came out buzzing in the second period, and used their speed to create a number of quality chances. Nearly eight minutes into the frame, their hard work paid off when Paula Bergström potted her first of the season to tie the game at one. Luleå’s league-best power play got two chances to go to work in the third period, first when a clearly frustrated Michelle Karvinen committed an ill-advised offensive zone tripping penalty. Neatby and her penalty killers stood tall, and the game remained knotted at 1-1. On the other end of the ice, Sara Grahn was also stellar, making a number of key saves to give her team a chance to win. One minute into overtime, Frölunda went on a 4-on-3 power play and Luleå penalty killer Emma Nordin broke her stick blocking a shot. With Nordin stickless, Frölunda was essentially playing 4-on-2 and made no mistake. Hanna Olsson received a pass from Felizia Wikner Zienkiewicz in the right circle, head faked and passed to Karvinen. Karvinen called game. Her finish from the left side of the high slot was as precise as it was ruthless, a dagger to the heart of league-leaders Luleå. With the win, Frölunda took over second place in the standings. Both teams were off on Sunday.