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SHL player goes flying after delivering devastating hit (Video)

Fabian Gunnarsson goes for a ride after hitting Leksands defender Alexander Ytterell.
Fabian Gunnarsson goes for a ride after hitting Leksands defender Alexander Ytterell.

There’s plenty at stake in the Swedish Hockey League qualification series between Leksands and Mora.

Leksands, who finished last in the SHL, are fighting to stay in the league after qualifying last season. Mora, the top team in the second-tier Allsvenskan, are looking to get back to the SHL for the first time since 2007-08. Hailing from the same county in Sweden, they’re also natural rivals.

So it’s safe to say emotions are running high.

Well, things boiled over in the third period of Game 2 on Friday, when Mora’s Fabian Gunnarsson delivered a devastating hit on Leksands defenseman Alexander Ytterell.

It’s a violent collision to be sure, although the hit wasn’t as dirty as it appears at first glance. Gunnarsson hit Ytterell primarily in the shoulder and if you freeze the video at the point of impact, he doesn’t appear to leave his feet before making contact. Gunnarsson probably should have been called for charging, but he wasn’t assessed a penalty on the play.

Ytterell was forced to leave the game, but he deserves credit for still making the play after looking up to see Gunnarsson charging right at him.

Ytterell wasn’t the only Leksands defender who took punishment in Friday’s contest. Only 10 minutes after the first hit, Ben Youds was on the receiving end of a nasty butt-end from Robin Johansson. The Mora forward also went unpenalized on the play.

Leksands got the last laugh, however, taking the match 4-2 to even up the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.