Reigning champion Luleå started this year's SDHL season with a heavy victory in Husqvarna Garden.

The heroes were Finnish back star Jenni Hiirikoski, who accounted for three assists, and returner Emma Nordin, who made both 1-0 and set the final score at 3-1 at one stage when HV71 pressed for an equalizer in the third period.

Luleå got a somewhat lucky 2-0 goal with only eight seconds left in the second period.

Hiirikoski then threw in a puck towards the goal which was directed in via the skate of Viivi Vainikka.

- Very unfortunate for HV71, but they have themselves to blame when they are passive and give space to such a dynamic player as Hiirikoski is, says SVT's expert Nisse Ekman.

That decisive 3-1 goal was all the more delicious.

Hiirikoski was then responsible for a magical pass from his own extended goal line up to Josefine Persson on offensive blue.

Persson played over to Nordin who cut in directly and outwitted Anni Keisala in the goal.

Luleå has won five of the last six WC golds and are big favorites this season after heavy signings in the form of national team veterans Emma Nordin and Lisa Johansson as well as 20-year-old Czech Daniela Pejsova, recently named the WC's best defender.

MORE ICE HOCKEY: The players were relieved: "Nice not to have to answer the questions"

Javascript is disabled

Javascript must be enabled to play video

Read more about browser support

The players answer questions about the new tackling rule Photo: Bildbyrån