Red Wings Prospects Pull Skelleftea Out of Skid

The present might not be going so well for the Detroit Red Wings, but they got another glimpse at a brighter future.

Two Detroit first-round draft picks were getting on the scoresheet to help reigning champions Skelleftea end a five-game losing streak in the SHL.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (15th overall, 2024 NHL entry draft) and Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall, 2023) were both scoring goals as Skelleftea was downing HV71 4-3.

It was defenseman Sandin Pellikka who would score the eventual game winner in the second period. Sneaking in from the left point, he took a cross-ice pass and drove a one timer top shelf to give Skelleftea a 4-1 lead.

Axel Sandin Pellikka(1st round’23 for Skellefteå) GOAL🚨 beautiful one timer top shelf. #LGRW #SKEAIK pic.twitter.com/MYlKUGP1Yu

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) November 16, 2024

Sandin Pellikka, 19, is now in a tie for ninth in the SHL scoring race with 16 points from 19 games. His six goals and 16 points are leading all defensemen in the league. Only three rearguards have accumulated more assists than the 10 Sandin Pellikka has dished out.

Those numbers also are leading all junior-aged SHL players. Brandsegg-Nygard (3-2-5) and Frolunda’s Noah Dower Nilsson (2-3-5) are tied for ninth in SHL scoring among teenagers. Dower Nilsson was Detroit’s 73rd overall selection in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Red Wings Top Pick Enjoys Multi-Point Game

Brandsegg-Nygard would enjoy a multi-point game. He drew the secondary assist on Sandin Pellikka’s game winner.

In the opening period, the Norwegian forward would score to give Skelleftea a 2-0 lead. The hulking winger drove hard to the net, picking up the rebound of a Max Lindholm shot on the edge of the goal crease before shoveling it into the net.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (1st round’24) GOAL🚨 drives the net and is rewarded. #LGRW #skeaik pic.twitter.com/mlWDK10DdW

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) November 16, 2024

It’s been a rough go for the reigning SHL champions. Along with the five successive losses. coach Robert Ohlsson was also fired. They also were beaten in a Champions Hockey League game last week.

This marked the first time in 12 games that Skelleftea had opened the scoring.

Goal For Johansson

Elsewhere in the SHL, defenseman Anton Johansson (105th overall, 2022) was scoring his first goal of the season for Leksands.

The goal came in a 3-2 shootout loss to Timra.