As November rolls in, the players in the SHL will take a two week break to make space for the international Karjala Cup in Finland. That gives us a chance to look at what has happened over the last month in Sweden's top division.
The table has split into three groups: - teams 1-5 separated by just 6 points; teams 6-9 who are only 4 points apart; and finally a cluster of teams at in the bottom four places who are just 3 points from each.
This week we're going to look at the top five clubs in the SHL starting with the second and third placed clubs.
Frölunda Indians (3rd)
Frölunda Indians and Rögle BK continue the strong start they had in September, but will probably be glad for a break as they both took two defeats in a row before the pause denying either club the top spot.
The teams owe their early season success to two different approaches. The third placed team from Gothenburg have smashed in goals with Californians Rhett Rakhskani (7G+11A, in photo) and Ryan Lasch (5G+10A) leading, as usual, with support from 2007 St Louis Blues drafted, Simon Hjälmarsson (7G+7A). The team has amassed the largest goal difference of 21 points.
Rögle BK (2nd)
Rögle are in second place having eked out wins with a conservative strategy by keeping it tight at both ends of the ice. Captain and Canadian Kodie Curran, tops the scoring in the league from the blue line with 3G+11A, the same amount of points as Swedish teammate, Leon Bristedt who has 7G+7A, equalling west coast rival Hjälmarsson.
@ABritOnThinIce1
