2012–13 Elitserien season

The 2012–13 SHL season was the 38th season of Elitserien. The regular season began on 13 September 2012 and ended on 5 March 2013.[2] The playoffs began on 12 March 2013 and ended on 18 April 2013. The 2012–13 Elitserien season was the last season under the name "Elitserien"; on 17 June 2013, the league was renamed "Swedish Hockey League" (SHL).[3]

2012–13 Elitserien season
LeagueElitserien
SportIce hockey
Duration13 September 2012 – 18 April 2013
Number of games55 (330 total)
Number of teams12
Total attendance1,883,192[1]
Average attendance5,707[1]
Regular season
League ChampionSkellefteå AIK
Season MVPJimmie Ericsson (Skellefteå)
Top scorerBud Holloway (Skellefteå)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPOscar Lindberg (Skellefteå)
Finals
ChampionsSkellefteå AIK (2nd title)
  Runners-upLuleå HF

Skellefteå AIK clinched the Swedish Championship for the first time since 1978, defeating Luleå HF 4–0 in the Finals. It was the team's second Swedish Championship in club history. Skellefteå also won the regular season for the first time since the 1980–81 season, and the second time in club history. Their 114-point finish is the highest number of points since Färjestad BK won the 2001–02 regular season with 118 points. Luleå HF improved on the record for fewest goals surrendered in a 55-game regular season that they set last season by only having 102 goals scored against them.

In Kvalserien, Örebro HK (first SHL season) and Leksands IF qualified for the 2013–14 SHL season at the expense of Timrå IK and Rögle BK.

Participating teams
Location of the participating clubs
Team City Arena Capacity
AIK Stockholm Hovet 8,094
Brynäs IF Gävle Läkerol Arena 8,585
Frölunda HC Gothenburg Scandinavium 12,044
Färjestad BK Karlstad Löfbergs Lila Arena 8,647
HV71 Jönköping Kinnarps Arena 7,000
Linköpings HC Linköping Cloetta Center 8,500
Luleå HF Luleå Coop Norrbotten Arena 6,300
Modo Hockey Örnsköldsvik Fjällräven Center 7,600
Rögle BK Ängelholm Lindab Arena 5,150
Skellefteå AIK Skellefteå Skellefteå Kraft Arena 6,001
Timrå IK Timrå E.ON Arena 6,000
Växjö Lakers Växjö Vida Arena 5,700
  • Note: Frölunda HC played their final three home games of the regular season in Frölundaborg, which had a smaller capacity of 7,600 spectators.

Summary

Short-term contracts

Short-term contracts and the possibility of signing players affected by the 2012–13 NHL lockout was a controversial issue for several months. The board of hockey operations for Elitserien (Hockeyligan) decided to continue rejecting short-term contracts (i.e. contracts not lasting for the entire season) on 23 August 2012.[4] On 21 September 2012, the Swedish Competition Authority (SCA) examined the matter and responded with a ruling that allowed short-term contracts.[5] Hockeyligan appealed the SCA ruling to the Market Court. On 18 December 2012, the Market Court ruled against the SCA and allowed Hockeyligan to forbid short-term contracts.[6] The uncertainty and concerns of legal punishment caused a number of Elitserien clubs to refrain from signing short-term contracts and await the Market Court's decision. In the end, Cody Franson played 26 Elitserien games with Brynäs, Alexander Steen played 20 games with Modo, and Matt Duchene played 19 games and Viktor Stålberg 11 games with Frölunda before their short-term contracts expired.

Outdoor game

For the fourth consecutive season, an outdoor game was played. As part of Brynäs IF celebrating their 100th year as a club, they hosted Timrå IK on December 8, 2012, in a temporary arena called Gävlebocken ("Gävle Goat") Arena. Brynäs won the game 3–0 in front of 15,009 spectators.[7][8]

Decline in attendance

The average attendance in Elitserien fell by 10.5% from 6,385 to 5,717 spectators per game, the lowest average since the 2002–03 season. The drop meant that Elitserien was fifth in average attendance among professional ice hockey leagues (fourth in Europe) – after the NHL, NLA, DEL and KHL.[9][10] In the 2011–12 season, Elitserien had the second highest average attendance among professional hockey leagues (first in Europe).[11]

There were several reasons for the decline; Frölunda HC saw an 18.1% decrease to an average of 8,588 fans per game. The second most attended team last season, Djurgårdens IF, was relegated to HockeyAllsvenskan. Nine of the eleven returning teams from last season had lower attendance numbers, with Skellefteå AIK and Luleå HF being the only teams to increase their average attendance. HockeyAllsvenskan, on the other hand, improved its attendance average this season from 2,606 to 3,227 spectators per game, an improvement of 23.8% from the 2011–12 season.

Regular season

Standings
2012–13 Elitserien season GP W L OTW OTL GF GA GD Pts
Skellefteå AIKy5534134417010763114
Färjestad BKx5527147715511045102
Luleå HFx5525129914510243102
HV71x5527169315512431102
Linköpings HCx55271945145136994
Frölunda HCx55212185123126–384
Modo Hockeyx551919710135129681
Brynäs IFx551720612123166–4375
0
AIKe55162577123149–2669
Växjö Lakers HCe55142678102130–2864
0
Timrå IKr55123085100127–2757
Rögle BKr55103456104174–7046


x – clinched playoff spot; y – clinched regular season league title; e – eliminated from playoff contention; r – play in relegation series

Statistics

Scoring leaders

Updated as of the end of the regular season.[12]
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Holloway, Bud Bud HollowaySkellefteå AIK55205171+2536
Söderberg, Carl Carl SöderbergLinköpings HC54312960+1848
Lindström Joakim LindströmSkellefteå AIK53183654+1156
Arlbrandt, Pär Pär ArlbrandtLinköpings HC54213253+2528
Little, Broc Broc LittleAIK55163046–324
Krog, Jason Jason KrogHV7155172643+1618
Hjalmarsson, Simon Simon HjalmarssonLinköpings HC55123143+2110
Lindberg, Oscar Oscar LindbergSkellefteå AIK55172542+154
Järnkrok, Calle Calle JärnkrokBrynäs IF53132942–212
Lee, Chris Chris LeeFärjestad BK54122941+2030

Leading goaltenders

These are the leaders in GAA among goaltenders who have played at least 40% of the team's minutes. Updated as of the end of the regular season.[13]

GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average

Player Team GP TOI GA SO Sv% GAA
Salak, Alexander Alexander SalákFärjestad BK412452:44667.9391.61
Eriksson, Joacim Joacim ErikssonSkellefteå AIK301726:17485.9311.67
Gustafsson, Johan Johan GustafssonLuleå HF332016:10574.9331.70
Engstrand, Christian Christian EngstrandLinköpings HC341934:05616.9361.89
Hudacek, Julius Július HudáčekFrölunda HC482894:00915.9301.89
Lundström, Joakim Joakim LundströmTimrå IK251506:57502.9271.99
Wesslau, Gustaf Gustaf WesslauHV71432522:35847.9282.00
Svensson, Markus Markus SvenssonSkellefteå AIK271587:22543.9202.04
Starkbaum, Bernhard Bernhard StarkbaumModo Hockey462625:43908.9332.06
Norrena, Fredrik Fredrik NorrenaVäxjö Lakers462725:19956.9192.09

Regular season attendance

[1]

Rk Team Home Away Total
GP Total Average GP Total Average GP Total Average
1 Frölunda HC 27 231,860 8,588 28 155,188 5,542 55 387,058 7,037
2 HV71 27 182,788 6,770 28 163,771 5,849 55 346,559 6,301
3 Linköpings HC 28 176,030 6,287 27 144,084 5,336 55 320,114 5,820
4 Brynäs IF 28 174,419 6,229 27 166,064 6,151 55 340,483 6,191
5 Färjestad BK 27 167,633 6,209 28 158,586 5,664 55 326,219 5,931
6 MODO 27 158,880 5,884 28 169,388 6,050 55 328,268 5,969
7 Skellefteå AIK 28 145,528 5,197 27 155,173 5,747 55 300,701 5,467
8 Luleå HF 27 139,969 5,184 28 158,814 5,672 55 298,783 5,432
9 Växjö Lakers HC 28 141,182 5,042 27 144,426 5,349 55 285,608 5,193
10 AIK 27 134,951 4,998 28 157,179 5,614 55 292,130 5,311
11 Timrå IK 28 121,137 4,326 27 162,826 6,031 55 283,963 5,163
12 Rögle BK 28 108,805 3,886 27 147,693 5,470 55 256,498 4,664
League 330 1,883,192 5,707

Playoffs

Playoff bracket

In the first round, the highest remaining seed chose which of the four lowest remaining seeds to be matched against. In the second round, the highest remaining seed is matched against the lowest remaining seed. In each round the higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage. Each best-of-seven series follows an alternating home team format: the higher-seeded team will play at home for games 1 and 3 (plus 5 and 7 if necessary), and the lower-seeded team will be at home for game 2, 4 and 6 (if necessary).

  Quarter-finals Semi-finals Finals
                           
  1 Skellefteå AIK 4  
8 Brynäs IF 0  
  1 Skellefteå AIK 4  
  5 Linköpings HC 1  
2 Färjestad BK 4
  7 Modo Hockey 1  
(Pairings are re-seeded after the first round)   1 Skellefteå AIK 4
  3 Luleå HF 0
  3 Luleå HF 4  
6 Frölunda HC 2  
  2 Färjestad BK 1
  3 Luleå HF 4  
4 HV71 1
  5 Linköpings HC 4  

Quarterfinals

(1) Skellefteå AIK vs. (8) Brynäs IF
Skellefteå AIK won series 4–0

(2) Färjestad BK vs. (7) Modo Hockey
Färjestad BK won series 4–1

(3) Luleå HF vs. (6) Frölunda HC
Luleå HF won series 4–2

(4) HV71 vs. (5) Linköpings HC
Linköpings HC won series 4–1

Semifinals

(1) Skellefteå AIK vs. (5) Linköpings HC

Skellefteå won the series 4–1 and advanced to the Finals for the third year in a row, becoming the first team to achieve this feat since HV71 between 2008–2010.

Skellefteå AIK won series 4–1

(2) Färjestad BK vs. (3) Luleå HF

Luleå won the series 4–1 and advanced to the Finals for the first time since winning the Swedish Championship in 1996. Linus Persson's game-deciding goal in Game 4, 12 seconds into overtime, is a new record for the fastest overtime goal scored in Elitserien playoff history.[14]

Luleå HF won series 4–1

Finals: (1) Skellefteå AIK vs. (3) Luleå HF
Skellefteå AIK - Luleå HF Finals 2013, Game 1

The Finals became a matchup between the league's two northernmost teams: Skellefteå and Luleå. Skellefteå won three of the five regular-season games against Luleå; two of the five games had to be decided in a shootout. This was only the second playoff series between these two teams; in 2011, Skellefteå defeated Luleå in six games to advance to the Finals (where they eventually lost). This was Skellefteå's third consecutive Finals appearance (Skellefteå reached the Finals in 2011 and 2012), and their fourth overall excluding seasons before Elitserien was formed. Luleå made their first Finals appearance since losing the Swedish Championship to Färjestad three games to one in 1997, as well as their third appearance overall (Luleå became Swedish Champions in 1996).

Skellefteå won the series 4–0, and became Swedish champions for the first time since 1978, and only the second time in club history. Luleå became the first team since 2003 to get swept in the Finals, in four straight games. Skellefteå finished the playoffs with a 12–1 record, the best playoff record since Färjestad's playoff run in 2009.

In Game 4, Skellefteå clinched the Swedish Championship with a 4–0 shutout over Luleå. Goaltender Joacim Eriksson stopped all 32 shots against Skellefteå's crease. After the first period, Skellefteå was up 2–0, following goals by Oscar Möller at 3:33 and Erik Forssell at 15:22. 5:32 into the second period, Johan Forsberg netted his first goal of the playoffs to give Skellefteå a three-goal lead. With less than four minutes to go in the third period, Erik Forssell sealed the Swedish Championship for Skellefteå with an empty netter, his second goal of the game.

Skellefteå AIK won series 4–0

Statistics

Scoring leaders

Updated as of the end of the playoffs.[15]
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Persson, Linus Linus PerssonLuleå HF158412+46
Arlbrandt, Pär Pär ArlbrandtLinköpings HC107512+64
Lee, Chris Chris LeeFärjestad BK107512+56
Lindberg, Oscar Oscar LindbergSkellefteå AIK134812+1316
Klasen, Linus Linus KlasenLuleå HF144812–44
Hjalmarsson, Simon Simon HjalmarssonLinköpings HC105611+58
Lindström, Joakim Joakim LindströmSkellefteå AIK134711+34
Olausson, Niklas Niklas OlaussonLuleå HF1511011+24
Forssell, Erik Erik ForssellSkellefteå AIK135510+62
Möller, Oscar Oscar MöllerSkellefteå AIK135510+42

Leading goaltenders

These are the leaders in GAA and save percentage among goaltenders who played at least 40% of the team's minutes. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded. Updated as of the end of the playoffs.[16]

GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average

Player Team GP TOI GA SO Sv% GAA
Eriksson, Joacim Joacim ErikssonSkellefteå AIK10623:01113.9521.06
Ullmark, Linus Linus UllmarkModo Hockey2122:4930.9551.47
Gustafsson, Johan Johan GustafssonLuleå HF15946:10320.9252.03
Hudacek, Julius Július HudáčekFrölunda HC6388:29151.9202.32
Salak, Alexander Alexander SalákFärjestad BK10616:06241.9222.34

Elitserien awards
Guldhjälmen: Bud Holloway, Skellefteå AIK
Guldpucken: Jimmie Ericsson, Skellefteå AIK
Honken Trophy: Gustaf Wesslau, HV71
Håkan Loob Trophy: Carl Söderberg, Linköpings HC
Rookie of the Year: William Karlsson, HV71
Salming Trophy: Magnus Nygren, Färjestad BK
Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy: Oscar Lindberg, Skellefteå AIK
Guldpipan: Ulf Rönnmark

Suspensions and fines
gollark: Apiothanatohazards, which cause death?
gollark: Idea: apiohypnohazards, which induce sleep.
gollark: And the game mostly uses... faux Greek or something.
gollark: See, LASER is a complex technical English acronym.
gollark: I was asking about their NAME.

See also

References
  1. Svenska Ishockeyförbundet: Elitserien: 2012–13: Elitserien: Team Statistics: Attendance. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  2. "2012–13 Elitserien schedule" (PDF). hockeyligan.se. 2012-05-01. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  3. Hemming, Johanna (2013-06-17). "Elitserien och Svenska Hockeyligan blir SHL". Svenska Hockeyligan (in Swedish). Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  4. "Svenska Hockeyligan enade i NHL-frågan". hockeyligan.se (in Swedish). 2012-08-23.
  5. "Frågor och svar om Konkurrensverkets beslut om Svenska Hockeyligans möjligheter att utesluta NHL-spelare" (in Swedish). Konkurrensverket. 2012-09-21.
  6. Karlsson, Erik (2012-12-18). "Marknadsdomstolen ger Hockeyligan rätt". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  7. Johan Wennerström (2012-12-08). "Resultat: Brynäs gick segrande ur utematchen" (in Swedish). Hockeyligan.
  8. Joachim Sandström (2012-12-08). "15004 såg Brynäs vinna med 3-0". Timrå IK (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2012-12-26.
  9. "Swiss on top of Europe". International Ice Hockey Federation. 2013-03-13. Archived from the original on 2013-03-16. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  10. Bodin, Uffe (2013-03-13). "Det svenska publikraset". Hockeysverige (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  11. "SC Bern 10th time on top". International Ice Hockey Federation. 2012-03-15. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  12. "Statistik". Hockeyligan. Archived from the original on 2013-07-31.
  13. "Statistik". Hockeyligan. Archived from the original on 2013-05-17.
  14. Sunnervik, Linus (2013-04-04). "Lika bra att åka ner och avgöra det här". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  15. "Statistik". Hockeyligan. Archived from the original on 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  16. "Statistik - Swedish Ice Hockey Association". Swedish Ice Hockey Association.

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