Frölunda HC Win SDHL Championship
There's a new SDHL champion in town, as Frölunda complete the sweep and take home the title.
After six years, the golden helmets have a new home: Frölunda HC defeated title holders Luleå Hockey/MSSK to win their first-ever SDHL championship on March 16th.
Game three of the best-of-five series took place at Frölunda's home rink, Scandinavium in Göteborg, in front of a record-setting 8,488-strong crowd. Frölunda came into game three with two victories in hand and a goal to complete the sweep. The teams traded goals in the first period, with notches from Luleå's Sarah Bujold and the playoffs' leading points scorer, Frölunda forward Andrea Dalen.
Dalen struck again just nine seconds into the second period for her fifth goal of the playoffs. Defender Nathalie Lidman took Frölunda up 3-1 with an unassisted goal midway through the period, but Luleå's Viivi Vainikka brought her team back within one before the end.
The third period became a goalie battle. Luleå put up 45 shots across the game, almost triple Frölunda's 18, but they couldn't break through Frölunda netminder Stephanie Neatby to find the equalizer. 20 scoreless minutes later, Frölunda became league champions in just their second SDHL season.
Looking ahead, these two teams could be shaping up into a fun rivalry. Each of the three games came at a one-goal margin and each team boasts some of Europe's most elite talent. Both Frölunda and Luleå demonstrate what's possible when women's hockey gets real investment and real care. Here's hoping a brighter future is just getting started.
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