2010–11 Elitserien season

The 2010–11 Elitserien season was the 36th season of Elitserien.^[2] The regular season ran from September 15, 2010 to March 5, 2011, and the following playoffs ended on April 14.^[3] HV71 won the regular season, scoring the game-winning empty net goal against Södertälje SK in the final round. Färjestads BK won the playoffs and thus became Swedish champions, beating Skellefteå AIK 4–1 in the finals. All of the local derby games between AIK and Djurgårdens IF were played in the Ericsson Globe.

On December 26, 2010, a game was held outdoors between Färjestads BK and Frölunda HC in Karlstad, continuing a tradition of outdoor games started in the previous season.^[4] Like last season, the home team won the game, this time in front of 15,274 spectators.^[5]

In Kvalserien, Södertälje SK and AIK qualified for the 2010–11 Elitserien season.

Regular season

Magnus Johansson of the Linköpings HC scored the first goal of the season.^[3][6]

Standings

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

Games

Statistics

Scoring leaders

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes ^[7]

Leading goaltenders

These are the leaders in GAA among goaltenders that have played at least 1200 minutes.^[8]

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

Playoffs

The standard of eight teams qualify for the playoffs. HV71 won the regular season title for the second consecutive season with 96 points.

1. HV71 – Regular season champions, 96 points (+30 goal difference, 173 goals for)
2. Färjestads BK – 96 points (+30 goal difference, 154 goals for)
3. Skellefteå AIK – 96 points (+28 goal difference)
4. Luleå HF – 88 points
5. Linköpings HC – 85 points
6. Djurgårdens IF – 84 points
7. Brynäs IF – 81 points
8. AIK – 76 points

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).

Quarterfinals

(1) HV71 vs. (8) AIK

(2) Färjestads BK vs. (7) Brynäs IF

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

(4) Luleå HF vs. (6) Djurgårdens IF

• Note: Game 6 was played in the Ericsson Globe.

Semifinals

(2) Färjestads BK vs. (8) AIK

• Note: Game 4 was played in the Ericsson Globe.

(3) Skellefteå AIK vs. (4) Luleå HF

Finals

(2) Färjestads BK vs. (3) Skellefteå AIK

Playoff statistics

Playoff scoring leaders

^[9]

Playoff leading goaltenders

^[10]

Elitserien awards

Rule changes

New rule changes include:^[11][12]

• For this season, a team receiving a penalty shot had to use the player fouled to perform the shot. Previously, the team could choose any player to take the shot.
• A player on the ice must be within 1,5 metres of the bench before his replacement can step on the ice.
• A player losing his helmet during play must leave the ice immediately.
• When a team with a player already in the penalty box has a delayed penalty and the opposing team scores, the player already in the box will exit and the player with the delayed penalty will serve his penalty. Previously, the goal would negate the delayed penalty.
• A goal scored with the shaft of the stick will stand, even if the stick blade is above the crossbar.
• The number of non-players allowed in the bench area has been increased from six to eight.
• For the first time since the 2004–05 Elitserien season, the 2010–11 Elitserien season re-introduces shootout in regulation games. If a game is tied after the first 60 minutes, the game goes to a 5-minute overtime period. If the game is still not concluded after that, it goes to a shootout. If the game is still not concluded after each team has made three penalty shots each, the shootout goes into a sudden-death shootout, where the first team that scores and if the other team misses, the first team wins. The player who gives the winning team the winning lead in the shootout gets a goal point in the protocol.
  The Timrå IK – Luleå HF game in round 3 was the first one to go into a shootout, which Timrå won.

References