Weekly Recap: MoDo Moves Up

MoDo

One of Swedens most historic teams has been having a less than historic first season back in the SHL. They have been on the cusp of a playoff position for most of the season, jumping in and out of the top ten. However, this week they managed to put together a massive performance. With three games on the schedule and two of those three being at home, MoDo had a chance to grab some much needed points in the standings. They did not disappoint their hometown fans. 

Tuesday was the only away game of the week and they were able to come away with a narrow 2-1 victory over Örbero. This victory was made even more impressive due to the fact that MoDo were outshot 42-14, but Lassi Lehtinen stood tall between the pipes for MoDo and turned aside all but one shot he faced. This was also MoDo's first three point victory of the year, having failed to secure three points in a game since December 28th. 

Thursday saw MoDo returning home to Örnsköldsvik for a matchup against last ranked Oskarshamn. This was another game marked by the fact that MoDo got outshot by their opposition, however it was not as extreme as their Tuesday evening matchup. Despite the 23-19 shot differential, MoDo managed to score a goal in each of the periods and come away with a 3-1 victory. This win was huge for MoDo as it snapped a seven game home losing streak for the team. It was also a less than positive outcome for Oskarshamn as it marked their eighth straight loss as their struggles this season continue. 

Saturdays matchup against Timrå was a massive win for MoDo and put an exclamation mark on an already successful week. This game was highlighted by the fact that MoDo got scoring from players they haven't seen goals from in some time. Erik Walli Walterholm broke a 21 game scoreless streak, Kristians Rubins broke a 19 game scoreless streak and Johan Södergran snapped a 17 game scoreless streak. Riley Woods also scored a pair to mark his first multi goal game of the season. All in all MoDo rippled the mesh seven times and came away with a big 7-1 win. The lone bright spot for Timrå was the fact Filip Hålander extended his goal scoring streak to five games. 

After their success this week, MoDo has put together three regulation wins in a row for the first time this season and are now back in the top ten. They currently sit three points ahead of Malmö and one back of Örebro. 

JONAS FORSBERG / BILDBYRÅN

Riley Woods.

Topping

Not only did MoDo have the best week of their season on the ice so far, they've also recruited a new forward. They signed 24 year old Kyle Topping. The young Canadian has impressed this season with Västerås potting 17 goals and adding 19 assists in 35 games played. 

- Topping is a player with passion who will be able to further strengthen our offensive, says MoDo's sporting director Henrik Gradin.

Topping played last season in Switzerland and has previous experience playing in the AHL, ECHL and WHL. He has been signed to a contract that extends until the end of this season.

Sissons

MoDo wasn't the only team to bring in some Canadian talent this week as HV71 has signed defender Colby Sissons. The 26 year old has played the past season and a half in Finlands top league. Previous to that he had one season with Vita Hästen in Hockey Allsvenskan. 

- In Colby, we get a capable back with the passing game as his main strength. He has followed up his fine season in the HockeyAllsvenskan with two strong seasons in the Finnish top league. We are convinced that he will raise our back side in the final stage of the season.

Sissons also has previous experience playing in the ECHL, AHL and WHL. The contract is valid through the end of this season. 

Johansson

Oskarshamn has decided to bring in some veteran talent as their struggles continue and it looks as if they will be playing in the relegation round come seasons end. They have signed 36 year old Martin Johansson. The veteran forward has not played this season but has 15 seasons and 576 SHL games under his belt. 

- I have wanted to play and wanted to find something that I was keen on. So it feels good to come to Oskarshamn. I have participated in qualifiers before and participated and went far in the playoffs. The first focus for my own part is to get to know the boys and get into the system, says Martin Johansson.

In his time in the SHL Johansson has one three league titles, two with Färjestad and one with Brynäs.