The Relegation Regulars (<20 pts)
SDE Hockey have a survival instinct and will enter the relegation battle for the fifth year in a row - that is every year they've been in the SDHL - knowing they've always won though to fight another season.
Six players have played over 100 matches with the club, including two Dutchwomen Julie Zwarthoed and Kayleigh Hamers and the 19 year old Swedish goalkeeper, Sofia Reideborn. Even captain and Englishwoman Leanne Ganney has been here before and they know collectively what it takes to remain in the SDHL.
It was assistant captain Zwarthoed and Ganney have led the way in points coming in a very respectable 24th and 28th in Total Points above talented players such as Hanna Sköld (LIF), Fanny Rask (HV71), Petra Nieminen (LHF).
Ultimately they might be disappointed with ninth place and four regulation wins with their top scorers repeatedly finding the net. If Lovisa Selander returns from the NCAA to her home club instead of taking net at NWHL club, Boston Pride who drafted her in December, they might surprise a few people next year.
Gothenburg HC in their second year in the top division have struggled gaining only six points all season with one regulation win as they sadly could not compete other the teams above them.
The team contains three of the five British internationals playing in Sweden but top scorers are Canadian Alyssa McMillian (played in NCAA and USports leagues) and Swede Anna Borgfeldt (Quinnipiac, NCAA). However, they only had 11 points each on the season putting them in a lowly 76th and 78th place respectively.
But it is not just going forward that has been a problem, the club has let in over 200 goals this season, with an average of nearly six in every game.
Both teams will start their best of three qualification matches on 28 February against DamEttan playoff qualification winners.
If they survive the qualification matches back to the SDHL another tough year awaits the club from Sweden's second city.
@ABritOnThinIce1
