Eight points separated table leader Brynäs, who returned to SHL again before the season, from second-place Luleå. Therefore, only two points away against Rögle were needed to secure the win in the regular season.
But it didn't happen. Rögle won 2–1, after Brady Ferguson scored the decisive goal in the second period.
But it was enough anyway.
First time since 1978
After Luleå lost at home to Modo 2–3, the result in Ängelholm didn't matter.
Brynäs won the regular season, for the first time since 1977/78, despite the second consecutive loss, and made their point-best SHL season ever. The previous record came from 2016/17, when the team collected 94 points.
But the history writing doesn't stop there. Additionally, the team becomes the first ever to win the regular season as a newcomer.
"Just look here and now"
Despite that, coach Niklas Gällstedt was tight-lipped, after today's loss.
It's fun, but at the same time, we can only look here and now. It's cool to win the series, of course, but as I said, the next match is what we focus on. We'll close this match and move on to the next match on Saturday against Skellefteå, he says to TV4 Play.
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Thus, the team begins its pursuit of its first Swedish Championship gold since 2012 as one of the big pre-favourites. The playoffs begin on April 19, and it remains to be seen who will be in the quarterfinals for the table leader. The lowest-ranked team in the eighth-finals (played between teams 7-10 in the table) will face Brynäs.
