The Elitserien took nearly two weeks off to accommodate the four-nation Karjala tournament in Finland. Sweden came in last. But the return to league play revealed a new powerhouse: Skellefteå. The black and gold have taken four of five since the break. They beat Malmö 3 to 1 on November 14. If our guys want to make the playoffs they have to keep wiping their feet on doormats like the Redhawks. A 6 to 2 loss to HV71 followed on November 16. It was their first encounter with the Blue Bulls this season. HV71 is sponsored by Husqvarna, makers of fine chainsaws. A 3 to 1 victory over league-leading Timrå followed on November 18. On November 21 they beat Mora 2 to 1, and Frölunda 5 to 2 on November 23.
I can't figure out Frölunda. They won the playoffs in the NHL lockout year. This year they're struggling not to finish twelfth. Is it Tommy Salo? He's the fifteenth-ranked goalie (in a twelve team league) with a GAA of 3.57 and save percentage of 87.59.
At the other end of "Where are they now?" is Roman Cechmanek, playing for Linköping. He's second among goalies with 2.06 and 92.77.
I learned the etymology of the name Husqvarna. It means "house mill" in Swedish. Probably "millhouse" would be a better translation. Swedish is so much like English if you just stare at it long enough. "Hus" for "house" is pretty obvious, but think back beyond French (moulin = mill) to Anglo-Saxon and you find "quern," the original English word for mill. Cool!
Posted by: Douglas | 01 December 2006 at 09:55 PM