Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond...

[Per]

Playoffs are almost over here. For the first time ever, the two Northernmost SEL teams square off for the title; Skellefteå AIK vs Luleå Hockey.

Skellefteå has taken a strong lead, winning the first three games, 1-0 at home, 4-2 away and 2-1 at home.
It's beginning to look as a sweep, even though all games have really been pretty close, Skellefteå has the better goaltending.

I'm a bit torn. Even if I like the idea that it's a northern team winning - it's freaking Skellefteå. The sworn arch enemy of Björklöven. They've only won the Swedish championship once, in 1978, so it's been 35 years. Björklöven has also just won once, in 1987. If they get a second title, we'll never hear the end of it.

Oh, btw, Skellefteå has this kid, Arvidsson, that you should really take a look at. Not drafted yet either.

[Tiger]

Go AIK:).. nothing personal Pers.. but I am in Bangkok Thailand and my favorite bar/restaurant is owned
by a stanch AIK supporter ( he also sponsors a team here I help coach) If AIK wins its free beer for at least a
couple nights

[Per]

Go AIK:).. nothing personal Pers.. but I am in Bangkok Thailand and my favorite bar/restaurant is owned
by a stanch AIK supporter ( he also sponsors a team here I help coach) If AIK wins its free beer for at least a
couple nights

You may have to double check though... Is it AIK, from Stockholm, or Skellefteå AIK, from Skellefteå?
The two teams wear almost identical uniforms, but they're not the same team.

[Per]

Anyways, Skellefteå beat Luleå 4-0 tonight, which means they swept the final and won in four games.
Interestingly enough coached by former Canuck Bert Robertsson.

[Uncle dans leg]

Anyways, Skellefteå beat Luleå 4-0 tonight, which means they swept the final and won in four games.
Interestingly enough coached by former Canuck Bert Robertsson.

Bert! Here I was thinking he was still in the minors
Where have all the years gone anyways?

[Rumsfeld]

Boy thanks Pair, I was on the edge of my seat wondering how Skellefteå was doing this year.

[Per]

Boy thanks Pair, I was on the edge of my seat wondering how Skellefteå was doing this year.

Then I'm sure you're equally excited about Ässät becoming Finnish champions - also for the first time since 1978.

Hm... Makes me wonder... Who won Stanley Cup in 1978?

[Per]

The Swedish Elite League has decided to scrap the rule allowing no more than two non-European players.
I expect to see a fair amount of AHLers take the ice in Sweden next winter.

Brynäs just signed Greg Scott of the Toronto Marlies.

Anyway, about time they scrapped the rule. Discrimination is a bad thing, and every team should attempt to ice the best team they can, regardless of what passport the players have.

Rumour says that Björklöven are trying to get Andrew Raycroft to sign on for them...
He spent last season in Italy, so, perhaps not completely inconceivable.

[Arachnid]

The Swedish Elite League has decided to scrap the rule allowing no more than two non-European players.
I expect to see a fair amount of AHLers take the ice in Sweden next winter.

Brynäs just signed Greg Scott of the Toronto Marlies.

Anyway, about time they scrapped the rule. Discrimination is a bad thing, and every team should attempt to ice the best team they can, regardless of what passport the players have.

Rumour says that Björklöven are trying to get Andrew Raycroft to sign on for them...
He spent last season in Italy, so, perhaps not completely inconceivable.

It will be quite the riot in the Smorgasbord league next year...

[Orcasfan]

Thanks for the update, Per. I wish I could watch some of those Swedish teams (no way where I live, unfortunately...unless there were some internet service out of Europe?). Anyway, I assume you're referring to Viktor Arvidsson...he looks a bit small at 5' 9". and 170 lbs. Looks like he has skill, but his size will probably eliminate him as a possibility over here.

[Rumsfeld]

Thanks for the update, Per. I wish I could watch some of those Swedish teams (no way where I live, unfortunately...unless there were some internet service out of Europe?). Anyway, I assume you're referring to Viktor Arvidsson...he looks a bit small at 5' 9". and 170 lbs. Looks like he has skill, but his size will probably eliminate him as a possibility over here.

LOL, you actually want to watch internet-streamed second-tier Swedish league games?

[Puck]

I dunno Rumsfeld, you bother to read and comment on issues you at least pretend to have complete disdain for, who's to say what Orcasfan might do with his time.

[Uncle dans leg]

SEL games are pretty entertaining. During the lockout I caught quite a few(mostly AIK to follow Jensen) and was impressed.

The big ice is more skating and positioning but bodychecks are far and few between.

[Topper]

Daniel summed up the Swedish game plan at the WC is a single word, "boring".

[Rumsfeld]

Daniel summed up the Swedish game plan at the WC is a single word, "boring".

Yeah, my experience with Swedes in general is that they are a very boring people. Just one of the many reasons nobody includes the shithole on their list of places to visit when they're touring Europe.