Let the Battle Commence

Several big games are coming up before the end of the normal season this coming Sunday, and it all kicks off tonight with a couple of interesting matches. At the top end of the table we see Almtuna hosting Växjö - a game that will most likely play a major factor in the outcome for which team will have to go through play offs to Kvalserien. Växjö supportrs have in fact arranged buses for the game. That they could only fill up a couple of mini-buses is pathetic, not surprising seeing that they are said to be more tight-arsed than the Scots, but at least it is a start.

 

Once again, there will be more players than fans representing the Lakers

AIK take on Mora in the other game concerning the three fighting for two automatic qualification spots. AIK has a good record against Mora at home over the last couple of seasons and will be hoping to take all three points. With Mora severely out of form at the moment, this looks likely, but the players will have to be more focused than they were in the loss against lowly Sundsvall last game. Even more interestingly we have an internal AIK battle to look out for as well. The AIK football team is playing a pre season friendly against Syrianska FC at the same time as the ice hockey is happening. Which team will draw in more people? Sadly enough, I suspect a non-competitive game of football is higher rated than an important hockey game in the Swedish capital. Philestines!

Leaves about to drop?

There is a major crisis at Björklöven; the team has only managed to take six points from their last 13 games and are now facing a real battle to stay in Allsvenskan. Many fans will be happy to learn that sporting director Arto Sirviö has decided to leave the Umeå outfit at the end of the season, but is the timing to announce this the best? Well, maybe for him as the risk of him being marched out of his house and hung from the nearest tree has been apparent for some time. We will undoubtedly find out in the next few weeks.

Hand over the mike, dude.

While Björklöven is dropping like a rock, Troja/Ljungby has got a bit of wind under their sails and has claimed some impressive scalps recently - Leksand, Bofors and Borås, to mention a few. Sundsvall  is also quietly maintaining their points harvest. With ten games to go, the battle to stay up looks more uncertain than the battles at the top end of the table.