"Nicklas Backstrom received a hero's welcome in his first Swedish Hockey League game since 2007 - a span of 6,753 days. The former Washington Capitals great, after a nearly two-year hiatus from competitive hockey due to his surgically-repaired hip, suited up in Brynäs IF's SHL regular-season opener against the Växjó Lakers at Monitor ERP Arena on Saturday. While Brynäs fell 7-4, the day was still one to remember for Backstrom."
"Brynäs fans marked Backstrom's incredible comeback with a hand-painted tifo, a large mosaic, that included his smiling team photo and two older photos - one from his youth and one from his adult playing days - alongside two newspaper clippings. "One time Brynäs, always Brynäs, welcome home," the bottom of the tifo read, per a translation by Matilda Wrigsjö. Fans waved flags and cheered as Brynäs took to the ice for their first regular-season game of the new year. Fire shot up as music blared across the loudspeakers."
"Centering the second line, Backstrom skated with Oskar Lindblom (a former player for the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks) and former Capitals' teammate Axel Jonsson-Fjällby. Backstrom received 20:28 of ice time - second only to Johan Larsson (21:42) among Brynäs forwards. Backstrom had one shot and one hit while winning 8 of 12 faceoffs (66.6 percent). He also upended an official while skating along the boards, apologizing with a smile when he returned to the bench."
Nicklas Backstrom returned to Swedish Hockey League action for Brynäs after a nearly two-year hiatus following surgically repaired hip surgery. He played in Brynäs IF's regular-season opener against Växjö Lakers at Monitor ERP Arena and logged 20:28 of ice time, centering the second line with Oskar Lindblom and Axel Jonsson-Fjällby. Brynäs lost 7-4 despite outshooting Växjö 26-18, with goals from Johan Larsson (2), Lucas Pettersson and Kieffer Bellows. Fans presented a large hand-painted tifo, waved flags and cheered loudly. Backstrom won 8 of 12 faceoffs, recorded one shot and one hit, and apologized after inadvertently upending an official.
Read at RMNB
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