Coach Johan Sixtensson has resigned after ten years, three Swedish Championship gold medals and six consecutive bandy finals with Villa Lidköping.
Now it's Pelle Fosshaug – one of Sweden's best bandy players of all time – who will try to guide the Västgötarna to a new final. Fosshaug has already celebrated his first title as coach. In mid-October, Villa won the Swedish Cup for the fifth year in a row.
Edlund scores two goals
The Elitserie premiere away against Hammarby at Gubbängens Skating and Bandy Hall was next, but Fosshaug was ill and couldn't be present.
Goal king Christoffer Edlund scored four goals when Villa Lidköping beat Västerås in the thrilling Swedish Championship final (7–6) in mid-March. Now the forward started the season's goal scoring in the 38th minute – a goal that only meant 1–1 after Fredrik Lönn had given Hammarby the lead.
The score was also level after a even first half, but in the second act, Villa showed their class. After an hour, Erik Säfström scored 2–1 and seven minutes later, William Arvidsson extended to 3–1.
Although Lukas Forsström reduced the score in the 72nd minute, just 31 seconds later, Gustaf Friman made it 4–2 for the away team. After that goal, Hammarby, who missed the playoffs last season, couldn't recover. Villa Lidköping won the premiere after Edlund had settled the final score at 6–3.
Win for the newcomer
Other notes from the premiere evening:
+ In Hälsingland, Edsbyn crushed Sandviken at home with a whole 10–3. Oscar Wikblad became a four-goal scorer.
+ Newcomer Åby/Tjureda got a flying start and won at home against Ljusdal with 6–1.
Finalist Västerås will play their premiere on Saturday away against Vänersborg.
