Guide: All you need to know before the SM finals in ice hockey

When?

The first final between Brynäs and Luleå will be played on Saturday, April 19 with a drop on 15.15.

Were?

Match one and two start at Monitor ERP Arena in Gävle and then continue at Coop Norrbotten Arena in Luleå in match three and four.

Brynäs road to the final

Quarterfinals

Brynäs – Malmö 4–2

Semifinal

Brynäs – Skellefteå 4–2

Luleås road to the final

Quarterfinals

Luleå – Växjö 4-1

Semifinal

Luleå – Frölunda 4–2

May be the first newcomer to win SM gold

Brynäs was close to 2017 but then fell by 4-2 in the SM final against HV71. Since then, the team has been able to turn down in Hockeyallsvenskan to get up to the SM final in two seasons.

The team has already written history by winning the basic series in Sweden’s highest hockey league as the first newcomer. Now you also have the chance to do it again by becoming the first newcomer ever to win SM gold.

Homecoming in a experienced Brynäs

Although it was a long time since Brynäs last lifted the SM Cup, there is no shortage of routine. The homecoming for the season, Jakob Silfverberg, and Johan Larsson and Simon Bertilsson were all last when Brynäs took the SM gold in 2012 against Skellefteå. It was also Silfverberg who then shot the decisive goal.

Add to that Brynäsfostrade Victor SöderströmOskar Lindblom and Christian Djoos who returned from Arizona/Utah, San Jose and Swiss Lausanne for the season. All three are well aware of what an SM gold would mean at home in Gävle.

Want to put an end to the trophy drought – chasing its first gold in 29 years

In a total of five SM finals, four have ended in loss for Luleå. Head coach Thomas « Bulan » Berglund makes his 33rd season in the club and was himself with and secured Luleå’s only SM gold in 1996-then as a player against Frölunda in the final.

Since then, Berglund has been involved in two final losses as coaches. In the latest, the team fell against Färjestad 2022 by 4-3 in matches, A final that sweated extra for the head coach.

Score player in shape

Pontus Andreasson and Frédéric Allard have been red hot at the end and are one and third respectively in the playoffs. Andreasson was allowed to leave the ice during the last semi -final against Frölunda after a bang against the head of Nicklas Lasu. But despite the bang, there should be no danger with the 26-year-old for the first final on Saturday.

Three best scorer in the playoffs

Brynäs

1. Anton Rödin, 11 points (2 goals and 9 assists)

2. Oskar Lindblom, 10 points (5+5)

3. Jakob Silfverberg, 8 points (5+3)

3. Charles-édouard d’Astous, 8 points (4+4)

Luleå

1. Pontus Andreasson, 14 points (9+4)

2. Frédéric Allard, 12 points (0+12)

3. David Lilja, 9 points (4+5)

Previous meetings during the season

Brynäs has won three of a total of four matches against Luleå during the season. The last team met in February won Brynäs by 2-1 after an extension.

The entire final program

Final 1, Saturday 19/4 15.15

Brynäs – Luleå

Final 2, Monday 21/4 20.00

Brynäs – Luleå

Final 3, Wednesday 23/4 20.00

Luleå – Brynäs

Final 4, Saturday 26/4 15.15

Luleå – Brynäs

Possibly Final 5, Monday 28/4 20.00

Brynäs – Luleå

Possibly Final 6, Thursday 1/5 14.00

Luleå – Brynäs

Possibly Final 7, Saturday 3/5 15.15

Brynäs – Luleå