Nybro Vikings IF — Västerås IK, Hockey Allsvenskan

Västerås IK beat Nybro Vikings IF 2:0 in the Hockey Allsvenskan on Friday evening, a result that tells you more about form than anything else. The visitors took all three points away from the ice when they perhaps expected to take one.

Both sides arrive at this stage with zero points in the standings, which is unusual but accurate for how this season is structured. Nybro sit twelfth after three wins and five losses so far, while Västerås are eleventh with two victories and six defeats. The gap between them is narrow on paper, though the recent results suggest otherwise.

Nybro's run of matches has been uneven — they beat Mora 2:1 back in September but then lost heavily to Leksand 7:1 just two days before tonight. Västerås have been similarly inconsistent, winning 5:1 against Östersund and dropping 3:6 at Mora in the same period. And here's the thing, neither team has found consistency over the last eight games.

We had tipped the hosts to win at 47 per cent. The match went another way, and by then it was clear that Nybro's defensive shape had not tightened up.

The result means Västerås move into a better position relative to their opponents, even if both teams remain at the bottom of the table. Nybro's goal difference will need improvement if they are to climb out of trouble. Three or four moments decided this game, not the full sixty minutes.