Of the news for this hockey all-Swedish season, a rule change stands out. When it's time for overtime, the attacking team is no longer allowed to play the puck out of the attacking zone – in that case, it will be a face-off in their own zone and thereafter, if the rule violation is repeated, a penalty.
This was something Björklöven experienced in Friday's premiere away against Mora, which stood 1–1 after regular time.
We control and direct the game, even in overtime we play well and get long shifts against them. But the new rule makes it a bit tough for us, says Björklöven's Liam Dower Nilsson to TV4 Play.
Saved by the post
In overtime, the Umeå team lost the puck out of the attacking zone on two occasions within a short time – both times due to carelessness, not intentionally – and were therefore given a penalty. That the rule is applied even when a team clearly tries to keep the puck in the attacking zone may become debated.
So, it's probably too early to say how it will be. But we didn't try to take out the puck, twice we happen to lose it. But I don't know … we'll see how it develops, says Dower Nilsson.
Mora coach Oscar Dahlgren:
What should one feel? Today we get paid for it, then I of course think it's good. But I like that you're not allowed to carry the puck out of the attacking zone in three-on-three play. It's still a good rule, says Dahlgren to TV4 Play.
Mora therefore got a golden chance to decide in play four against three, but didn't get closer than a post hit. Instead, Björklöven took the bonus points after penalties when Liam Dower Nilsson became the match hero as the only scorer.
Modo won
Björklöven is a potential top team this year. Modo, which was relegated from SHL in the spring, is another.
And Tyler Kelleher, new from Djurgården, directly showed how important he can become for the Örnsköldvik team. The American – who previously helped promote Djurgården, Brynäs, and HV71 to SHL – set important 2–1 at home against Östersund in the beginning of the third period. Modo eventually won 3–1 after 18-year-old talent Milton Gästrin finalized the result with his first A-team goal.
Other premiere results: Södertälje–Bik Karlskoga 1–4, AIK–Västerås 2–1, Nybro–Oskarshamn 3–2, Almtuna–Kalmar 4–1 and Vimmerby–Troja-Ljungby 1–2 after overtime.
