The SHL season is nearly half way through as December starts and the table is as tight as its ever been - only 9 points separate the first 10 teams meaning that every single point counts. Below we will have a look at the top six teams as of 30 November.
1. Luleå HF
Lulea's success was not something many predicted. The team is largely unchanged from last year including the same manager, Luleå's own, Thomas Berglund. Since taking Brynäs to an unlikely final place in 2016/7 he returned to his own club where he himself played his professional career. The team has only two players with NHL experience, newcomer and captain, Erik Gustafsson and Johan Harju. Harju played just 2 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning who drafted him in 2007 and defenseman, Gustafsson was never drafted. Instead he came through the NCAA college system and played 91 games for Philadelphia Flyers and 114 in the AHL between 2009-2014.
The skills of Joel Lassinantti in goal are well known- but they can fluctuate. Last year he finished seventh overall, but this year he lies in second with 93.99 SVS%. This is the best stats of his career at Luleå, his local club where he has played since U16 level. It is even better than the 2014/5 season when Luleå won the first Champions Hockey League and the 25 year old was SHL Keeper of the Year.
The final key factor is the rise of American, Jack Connelly into one of the top scoring import players in the league. A player who has a 0.50 PPG in 7 seasons in the SHL is bashing out a 0.90 PPG and has landing himself in fourth in Total Points.
@ABritOnThinIce1
