Färjestad won the first must-win match against Skellefteå
Färjestad was desperate to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
They then defeated Skellefteå 2–1 in a tight match in front of the home crowd.
– This is what you play for, says team captain Linus Johansson to TV4 Play.
Färjestad won the first match. Since then, Skellefteå has won three straight.
But on Saturday, the Karlstad team bounced back – and is staying alive in the quarterfinal series.
– This is what you play for. We have the chance to turn this around from 1–3 to 4–3 in matches, says Linus Johansson to TV4 Hockey.
“Too bad at the start”
Färjestad scored 1–0 through Per Åslund early in the first period.
Max Lindholm equalized midway through the second period, before Joel Kellman made it 2–1 for Färjestad just over three minutes later.
That also became decisive.
Skellefteå pressed for an equalizer – but Färjestad held off and reduced the score to 2–3 in the match series.
– We are too bad at the start. We have to make sure to do better the day after tomorrow at home, says Skellefteå Pär Lindholm to TV4 Play.
Luleå beats Växjö – first team to reach SHL semi-finals
Luleå becomes the first team to reach the semifinals in the SHL playoffs.
Pontus Andreasson scored the decisive 3–2 goal in overtime, and once again became the match hero.
– I don’t know what’s happening, the pucks are rolling in, it builds confidence, Andreasson tells TV4.
A nice pass from Brendan Shinnimin and the 26-year-old put the puck from the right drawing circle, his sixth goal of the playoffs, the most of all. Just two days ago, he decided the fourth quarter, also in the sudden.
Otherwise, it was Växjö who started the best. 1-0 came after just over three minutes when Marcus Sylwegård headed in Keegan Lowe’s shot.
The Småland team then refused to let go of the gas pedal, so at 6-0 in shots on goal and a missed penalty by David Lilja, coach Thomas “Bulan” Berglund took a timeout.
Dissatisfied Bulan took a timeout
– He wasn’t happy at all. He said we need to wake up and start skating a little, says Luleås Lilja about his words.
But there was no further progress. Instead, 2-0 came in exactly the same manner, a shot from Lowe (and from the same position) and control, although this time by Martin Lundberg.
In the second period, however, it was a completely different match. Luleå came out as a completely new team and Mathias Bromé reduced it to 1-2 in the power play. Then Eetu Koivistoinen showed his coolness when he served Anton Levtchi to make it 2-2 after a solid roll-up.
The third period was a battle of points, so the match had to be decided in overtime. Then, the scoring king Pontus Andreasson stepped up to secure advancement.
– Luleå is a strong machine that fights and struggles. It’s no joke. When you lose 1-4, your opponents are better, says Jönsson.
Brynäs close to semi-finals – defeated Malmö
Brynäs has the advantage in the quarterfinal series against Malmö.
The Gävle team wins 3–2 and is now one victory away from the semi-finals.
– We have played tougher matches than this one, if I do say so myself, Anton Rödin stated to TV4 afterwards.
After two straight losses, Brynäs was on course for victory in the fifth quarter-final. But Malmö reduced the score to 2–3 with eight minutes remaining and were close to an equalizer.
Nothing bothered Brynäs player Anton Rödin.
– I don’t think there was any nervousness. We have faith in our team and have played tougher matches than this one, if I do say so myself, Rödin tells TV4 after the victory.
“Better overall”
The 1–0 goal came after a conversion in a numerical disadvantage. Bobby Trivigno’s pass bounced off a defender and set up Oskar Blomgren in the Malmö goal.
The home team then started the second period in a big way and made it 2–0 after just 37 seconds.
Jakob Silfverberg pushed it to 3-1 on the power play, after Malmö’s Carl Persson broke his 19-game goal drought.
– I think we are better overall. We create the hottest chances and I think it’s probably a bit underwhelming when it’s 3-1, says Anton Rödin.
Brynäs has match ball
The goal was Silfverberg’s fourth in the playoffs – and the one that ultimately proved decisive.
– It was just a matter of closing your eyes and shooting, I don’t know how it found its way in, but it was one of those days today, the star tells TV4.
Brynäs now leads the series 3–2 in games. Game 6 will be played in Malmö on Sunday.
– Somewhere I feel that we are on track, we are looking forward to Sunday, says Malmö coach Tomas Kollar to TV4.
