From the CHAMPIONSHIP to the top flight and back again

the island of Djurgården win two straight national CHAMPIONSHIPS. 2000 beats the Modo in the finals with 3-0 in matches (best of five), and the 2001 win over Färjestad with 4-2 in matches (best of seven).

Segerreceptet was the so-called torpedhockeyn which was developed by the coaches Hardy Nilsson, Mats Waltin.

Photo: Marco Gustafsson

After the success was a New player hot on the market, and new coach Kent ”Lill-Kenta” Johansson got a tough job with a lot of new players.

the island of Djurgården finished second in the table, but went out already in the quarter-final against Frölunda.

Niklas Wikegård, who took over as coach and in his first season, he led the team to the semifinals, where they lost against Färjestad.

the Second season was Djurgården eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Wikgårds last season 04/05 was eventful. The NHL lockout meant that all teams had a range of high-quality NHL players in their troops.

Two semis and a quarter final was the for the DIF during the Wikegård. Photo: Mark Earthy/Pressens Bild

the island of Djurgården to the semifinals, but there was Frölunda too difficult.

for the season 2005/06 was forced to Djurgården pull the brake. The club's finances were shaky, and, therefore, made a budgetary effort, with many new players in the squad.

For the first time in 20 years, missed the island of Djurgården to advance to the finals.

Even the year after the season over when the playoffs began.

the 2007/08 Season took Djurgarden advance to the quarterfinals, but where did it stop against Linköping.

Season after missed the island of Djurgården in the new season.

Guldtränaren Hardy Nilsson was back in the First booth, and for the first time in nine years, took the team to the CHAMPIONSHIP final.

the Finals against HV 71 was as smooth as entertaining. In the end it was smalanders who won with 4-3 in matches, but it is worth noting that five of the six final matches went into overtime.

the Year after was hopes high, but Djurgården went out already in the quarter-finals.

On paper, had the island of Djurgården a strong team, but this season there were few things that matched, and in January, Hardy Nilsson leave that to the coaches.

Djurgården eleven, and was forced to as a result, in order to save the contract in the top league.

It did not. For the first time in 35 years, the island of Djurgården provide the highest series.

Djurgårdens tränartrio after Hardy Nilsson got fired. Photo: Roger Turesson

During the first season in the allsvenskan missed Djurgården getting relegated. Much better it went under the other.

the island of Djurgården finished second in kvalserien, and took the step up in the SHL again.

the First year back in the top flight ended with a ninth place, and loss in the ”play-in” (which later became åttondelsfinaler) against Luleå.

the Season came to Djurgården seven, and went on to the quarter-finals against Frölunda after having won against Brynäs in the second round.

Frölunda won the quarter-finals with 4-1 in matches.

New coach Robert ohlsson's first season ended with a loss in the final against Färjestad.

Djurgardens coach Robert Ohlsson. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

the following Season ended Djurgården finished second in the table, and beat in the quarter-finals out Linköping, sweden.

In the semi-final was against Skellefteå. Skellefteå made it to the CHAMPIONSHIP final with 4-2 in matches.

the semi-final gave this season an indication that something positive had happened in the island of Djurgården.

In the year, we know that the indications were real. For the first time in nine years, Djurgården is one of the teams.

On easter Sunday is played on the first CHAMPIONSHIP final between Djurgården and Frölunda.

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