Linus Soderstrom and HV71 took the 2-0 lead in the quarterfinal playoff series against Farjestad with a 3-1 win this past Saturday and 3-1 victory Monday. Soderstrom ended the first game with 26 saves and a .963 save percentage. In the second game, Soderstrom was able to hold back FBK despite letting up one goal in the second period to help HV71 get their second straight win.
The goalie is first right now in the postseason among goalies in goals against average 1.00, and is second in save percentage with a .960. Soderstrom also has a total of 48 saves. The team takes on FBK in Game 3 this Wednesday.
After a record-setting year, HV71 re-upped Soderstrom with a one-year contract extension.The Islanders' 2014 fourth-round pick posted an SHL-record 1.34 goals against average in the regular season, ranked second with a .943 save percentage, and recorded six shutouts - second in the SHL.
Playoff Schedule:
Game 1 - HV71 3,FBK 1, Sat. Mar. 18
Game 2 - HV71 3,FBK 1, Mon. Mar. 20
Game 3 - HV71 vs. FBK, Wed. Mar. 22
Game 4 - FBK vs HV71, Fri. Mar. 24
Game 5 - HV71 vs FBK, Sun. Mar. 26
Game 6 - FBK vs HV71, Tues. Mar. 28
Game 7 - HV71 vs FBK, Thurs. Mar. 30