Sweden Ramps Up Olympic Charge Without Any Playoff Hiccups
Luleå, a perennial powerhouse in the SDHL has been eliminated from the SDHL playoffs by Brynäs. It's the firs`t time since 2017 that Luleå will not play for the SDHL title.
Luleå is out. For the first time since 2017, the SDHL powerhouse will not play for a league championship. In that time, Luleå won the SDHL title in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The only gap in that run was the COVID-cancelled 2020 season. In 2025, Luleå played for the the title, but fell to Frölunda. This week however, Luleå was eliminated from the SDHL semifinals, being swept by Brynäs 3-0.
Brynäs won the series beating Luleå 3-2, 2-1, and 4-0. Brynäs forwards Viivi Vinaikka, Hanna Thuvik, Noora Tulus, and Jennina Nylund were the difference in the series. For Luleå, it marks the end of nearly a decade of dominance in the SDHL, and things won't get easier for Luleå next season as several key members of their roster are set to jump to the PWHL.
That group includes SDHL Forward of the Year and leading scorer Petra Nieminen, as well as defenders Erica Reider and Nadia Mattivi. Mattivi could sign in the PWHL immediately as she's eligible. Other members of Lulea who could look to ink a PWHL contract this season include Akane Shiga, Johanna Fallman, and Sarah Bujold, who have both played in the league, as well as PWHL eligible players including Cameron Sikich, Charli Kettyle, and Jenna Donohue.