Riku Helenius Tops in Swedish Kvalserien

SSK, RBK on verge of protecting spots
Bill Meltzer NHL.com March 31, 2010

In Swedish hockey, the bottom two teams during the Elitserien regular season are forced to play a double-round robin postseason tournament with the top four teams from minor league Allsvenskan. The top two finishers in the qualification series (called kvalserien in Swedish) earn spots in the Swedish Elite League the following season while the rest play in Allsvenskan.

Through the first five games of Kvalserien, the two incumbent Elitserien teams, Södertälje SK and Rögle BK, have jumped ahead of their Allsvenskan pursuers. SSK enjoys a perfect 5-0 record with all the wins coming in regulation, earning all 15 possible points so far. With 10 points, RBK has lost once with two ties. The closest Allsvenskan challengers are former Elitserien clubs AIK Stockholm (7 points) and Leksands IF (6 points).

SSK's Linus Videll leads the Kvalserien scoring race with 4 goals and 10 points. SSK goalie Riku Helenius has been the top keeper with a 2.00 goals against average, .925 save percentage and the lone shutout recorded by any goalie in the tournament to date.

Additional Reading: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=523401

Riku Helenius Undefeated in Sweden's Promotion Relegation Series

Kval till Elitserien Game Day: 3-29-10
Boltsprospects.com March 29, 2010

Riku Helenius, Sodertalje, Win, 29/33, 4.00 GAA, .879 sv%
Season totals: 9 GP, 4-2-2, 0 SO, 2.42 GAA, .923 sv%
Playoff totals: 5 GP, 5-0-0, 1 SO, 2.00 GAA, .926 sv%

At the halfway point of Sweden's promotion/relegation series, Riku Helenius remains an undefeated 5-0-0 despite allowing 4 goals today to Vaxjo Lakers. Helenius has a 7 game personal winning streak extending all the way back into the Elitserien regular season. His last loss was on March 4th against Frolunda and former Lightning netminder and Bolt Prospects alumni Johan Holmqvist. Ex-Avs draft pick Linus Videll led the scoring for Sodertalje with 2 goals and 3 assists in the match.

Additional Reading: http://www.boltprospects.com/content/kval-till-elitserien-game-day-3-29-10

Riku Helenius Leading Sodertalje

European Game Day

Bolt Prospects March 13, 2010

Riku Helenius, Sodertalje, Win, 29/30, 1.00 GAA, .967 sv%
Season totals: 9 GP, 4-2-2, 0 SO, 2.42 GAA, .923 sv%

Riku Helenius and Sodertalje completed their regular season with a solid 3-1 win against Farjestads. Ex-Kings prospect Yanick Lehoux had a pair of goals in the match. Sodertalje finished 11th in the 12 team Elitserien. They'll now await the start of the Kvalserien till Elitserien relegation/promotion series on March 21st where they'll face some of the best teams from the second tier Allsvenskan. Sodertalje had to play their way into the Elitserien last year, too, so this is nothing new for their fans. The series will run for 10 games until April 11th, so Helenius' season isn't over yet. Thus far though, his decision to jump into Swedish hockey has been successful. It remains to be seen, though, if it's been successful enough for him to have played his way back into the Lightning's plans.

Additional Reading: http://boltprospects.com/content/european-game-day-3-13-10

Södertälje Welcomes Riku Helenius

Check out this Södertälje TV video of new addition Riku Helenius. To view, please watch video "Riku Helenius 100127"