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Skelleftea Needs a Hero; Could Red Wings Prospect be That Guy?

Originally posted on Detroit Hockey Now | By Bob Duff | Last updated 4/18/24

Detroit Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka is already displaying a habit for potting big goals. Could he be in line to deliver the goods again today as Skelleftea is facing Frolunda in Game 7 of their SHL semifinal series?

Squandering a 3-1 series lead, Skelleftea has nonetheless been displaying a flair for the dramatic during postseason play in Sweden’s top league. Five of their seven playoff wins have come via overtime goals.

“We go out with a mindset that everyone wants to decide,” Sandin Pellikka was explaining to SHL.se. “We should not wait for anything, but everyone wants to go out and be a match winner.

“It has worked so far.”

Just 19, Sandin Pellikka is logging more than 20 minutes of ice time per game along the Skelleftea blueline. Detroit made him their 17th overall selection in the first round of the 2023 NHL entry draft. He was recently presented with the Borje Salming Trophy as the top Swedish defenseman in the SHL.

Axel Sandin Pellikka moving the puck pic.twitter.com/ddGP5vBJe5

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 14, 2024

As a teenager, he is already playing on some big stages. Earlier this season, Sandin Pellikka was helping Sweden win a silver medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship. In the process, he was earning recognition as the tournament’s top defenseman.

At Skelleftea, Sandin Pellikka takes a back seat to more experienced teammates in the dressing room.

“It’s a bit different, but the leading guys say some well-chosen words,” Sandin Pellikka said. “A little quote, everyone agrees and then you go out and drive and want to be a match winner.”

Red Wings Sandin Pellikka Displaying Knack For OT Heroics

Already twice this season, Sandin Pellikka came up with the tally to bring an end to an overtime contest. It was his marker the was the winner as Skelleftea beat Linkoping in triple overtime in the SHL quarterfinals. It was the third-longest game in SHL history.

At the world juniors, Sandin Pellikka would pot an OT winner in the quarterfinals as Sweden beat Switzerland.

ASP content pic.twitter.com/3X4ND1NeaY

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 10, 2024

Only HV71 in 2010 with eight has scored more overtime goals in the SHL playoffs than Skelleftea has netted this spring.

“Of course we feel a little stronger and it gives a boost that we know we are strong,” Sandin Pellikka said. “Like I said, everyone goes out with a desire to be a match winner.

“There is almost no better feeling than winning after overtime in a playoff.”

This article first appeared on Detroit Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.

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