So here are the quarterfinal tips:
Brynäs–Malmö
Petter Rönnqvist: 4–1 to Brynäs. Malmö has done well and is in a flow now, but it won't be enough against the season's giant.
Johan Garpenlöv: Brynäs will win with 4–2. Malmö has got the pieces together well at the end, but now they meet a more talented team and it won't hold in the best of seven.
Luleå–Växjö
PR: 4–2 to Växjö. The injuries to Erik Gustafsson and Linus Omark are ominous. Emil Larmi in a defensively strong Växjö surprises.
JG: 4–2 to Luleå. It will be a tight match series, it's two teams that prioritize defensive play.
Frölunda–Timrå 4–2
PR: The machine Frölunda advances with 4–2 in matches against a Timrå in poor trend. Then, not even a stellar Tim Juel and the season's best forward in Filip Hållander will help.
JG: 4–2 to Frölunda. It will also be a tight and tense match series. Frölunda has really done well this season, is well-coached and has got their power play going. Timrå has been surprisingly good, but is too inconsistent.
Färjestad–Skellefteå
PR: 4–3 to Färjestad. What a thrilling quarterfinal! If offensive Färjestad gets normal goalkeeper play, an uneven Skellefteå shouldn't go through over seven matches.
JG: 4–3 to Skellefteå. I'm looking forward to that match series, it will probably be the one everyone will watch. Färjestad has an offensive powerhouse, but their defense is questionable and especially the goalkeeper side. Skellefteå has gone through a season with fired coaches and injuries, but at the end got the pieces together. Skellefteå has no direct pressure on them and is used to playing playoffs.
And the final gold winners? Garpenlöv tipped Luleå already when he stepped into the expert role last fall.
I can't change now even if there are other teams that can also win. I think they recruited well and have more offensive power than before. They've been close already before they got this offensive power, so it feels like it's their turn now.
Petter Rönnqvist believes that Brynäs completes its comeback success and takes the SM gold as a newcomer.
Brynäs has the most balanced team. The best defensemen and a consistently matching forward lineup, says Rönnqvist.
