The 2010-11 Elitserien opened Sept. 15, with the featured matchup in the first round coming on Sept. 16 when last year’s finalists, HV 71 and Djurgården, met at the Hovet in Stockholm.
Unlike the finals, DIF came out on top, claiming a 3-2 win. Its cross-town rival, AIK, had a less-than-successful return to the top flight, losing 5-1 at home to Linköping.

Linköping 5, AIK 1
STOCKHOLM ― Magnus Johansson collected four points from a goal and three assists to lead Linköping to a season-opening 5-1 win over AIK Sept. 15 at the Hovet. Fredrik Norrena stopped 16 of 17 shots in the LHC goal. NHL prospect Christopher Heino-Lindberg made 32 saves for AIK while Richard Gynge collected the Gnaget’s lone goal.

Färjestad 3, Skellefteå 2
SKELLEFTEÅ ― Färjestad gained some revenge on the team that knocked it out of the playoffs last year, by beating Skelleftea 3-2 Sept. 16 at Kraft Arena. Christopher Nihlstorp made 48 saves to lead the Wolfpack to the win. Sanny Lindström’s goal at 15:33 of the third period proved to be the game winner.

Modo 2, Brynäs 0
GÄVLE ― Highly touted Danish rookie Morten Madsen scored his first career Elitserien goal to help make Modo a winner in its season opener. Madsen tallied at 7:26 of the second period with Modo already up 1-0. Goalie Tuomas Tarrki made 24 saves for the shutout.

Djurgården 3, HV 71 2
STOCKHOLM ― Matthias Tjärnqvist and John Norman scored 24 seconds apart in the third period to help Djurgården claim a 3-2 win over HV 71 in a repeat of last year’s final. Tjärnqvist’s goal at 14:36 of the third was his second of the night as DIF rallied from a 2-1 deficit. Martin Thörnberg and Kris Beech scored for HV 71.

Luleå 3, Södertälje 1
SÖDERTÄLJE ― Luleå spoiled the home opener for Södertälje Sept. 16, claiming a 3-1 win at the AXA Sports Arena. Janne Ninimaa, Pierre Johnsson and Thomas Raffi scored for Luleå. Martin Chabada tallied for SSK.

Timrå 6, Frölunda 2
TIMRÅ ― The Red Eagles enjoyed a successful start to the season Sept. 17, hammering Frölunda 6-2 at the E.ON Arena. Sebastian Erixon scored twice and had an assist to lead Timrå to the win. Tomi Kallio had one of the Indians’ two goals.