Shattuck-St. Mary’s and Chicago Mission meet in national championship rematch
Each week, World Hockey Hub will highlight a few of the most exciting upcoming games. From the hottest rivalries to the biggest tournaments, we focus on matchups that should have your attention this week.
Sweden Hockey Trophy schedule features a pair of showdowns
The Sweden Hockey Trophy for the 2007 birth year will kick off this Thursday with seven games, highlighted by two matchups involving teams that were mainstays in the WHH rankings last season.
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| Thursday, Sept. 15 @ 4:30 pm CET BST Rinkin |
The first of these games will be Flemingsbergs IK taking on Södertälje SK. For the final weeks of last season, Södertälje found themselves within the top 5 in the country for the 2007 birth year. Flemingsbergs was also highlighted among the best teams, working their way up as the season progressed before ending things just outside the top 10.
Both clubs will see the return of many players for this tournament that suited up in the 2022 Uplandia Trophy earlier this year. Daniel Lazienkiewicz and Ludvig Söderberg led the way for Södertälje in that tournament, tallying six points (4G, 2A) and five points (3G, 2A), respectively, across five games.
Sebastian Dahlqvist garnered 14 points (5G, 9A) to lead Flemingsbergs in the tournament, followed closely by Tim Tuzin’s 11 points (6G, 5A).
All four of these players will be relied on for their offensive ability in what could be a high-scoring affair.
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| Friday, Sept. 16 @ 5:15 pm CET Tumba Ishuset – Roplan |
Later that day, Täby HC faces off against Viggbyholms IK.
Täby, reigning champions of the 2022 Uplandia Trophy, were a constant atop the rankings last season. They showed just how much of an offensive juggernaut they can be in that tournament, finding the back of the net 35 times across five games while only allowing 16. In comparison, Viggbyholms managed to pot 15 goals, with 10 finding the back of their own net. Axel Bjurman and Bor Rakun will lead the charge up front, but any offense from blueliners such as Elias Kristiansson, who notched three points (1G, 3A) at the Uplandia Trophy, would be welcome as well.
Tight defense and consistent goaltending will be key for Viggbyholms to have any chance to skate away with the victory.
The second day of the tournament gives fans a showdown between Täby and Nacka HC. While dealing with the potent attack that Täby possesses, Nacka are no strangers to dealing with pressure. Consistently in the middle of the rankings last season, they also had a knack for putting up goals in bunches, while keeping opponents goal totals on the low end.
If the stars align, this game could be a back-and-forth affair of scoring chances for both sides. Fans will be in for a treat to watch Täby’s Melvin Novotny and Theo Stockselius, who both combined for 34 points in five games at the 2022 Uplandia Trophy, go toe to toe with the best of Nacka.
A USA Hockey national championship rematch
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| Friday, Sept. 16 @ 5:15 pm CDT Brooklyn Park Ice Arena |
The 2022-23 season will start where the previous one left off for Shattuck-St. Mary’s.
A rematch of last spring’s 14U national championship, Shattuck will square off with familiar foe Chicago Mission as two of the top teams in the United States from last season. When you combine for a record of 111-11-3, that’s nothing to scoff at.
September 16 should be a date circled on everyone’s calendar, whether you’re a fan of these teams or not. It serves as an early glimpse into how this season will begin, and possibly unfold, for two powerhouse programs.
Chicago already has a decent number of games under their belt, with a (6-3-1) record that included a sweep of Little Caesars. Shattuck has yet to suit up for a game this season, but must bring their a-game at puck drop for this one.
The boys from Minnesota will likely have a sour taste in their mouths from the way things unfolded between the clubs last season, and will no doubt be looking to start things off on the right foot.
The Mission took the season series last year, going 3-1 in four close contests with the exception being a 4-0 shutout by Chicago in the first game. Another interesting fact is that these teams didn’t meet until November last season, so this contest serves as an opportunity for either team to strike an early blow.
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