With the semi final round being a best of five series this season, every goal counts and every game is important. However, the week started off with the final two games of the quarterfinals.
The week kicked off with game 6 of the quarterfinal matchup between Luleå and Skellefteå. With the 3-2 series leading heading into game 6 Luleå had a chance to close out the series and punch their ticket to the semi final round. Despite jumping out to a 2-0 lead early in the second frame, Skellefteå was able to battle back and tie up the game before the start of the third. Their momentum didn't stop there, however, as they potted another pair of goals in the final frame. A late effort from Luleå saw them manage to get back within one, but Skellefteå was able to hold on for the win and force a final and decisive game 7.
Neither team had much time to rest as the series shifted back to Skellefteå less than 24 hours after the conclusion of game 6. With all the momentum on their side Skellefteå came out firing on all cylinders and never took their foot off the peddle. Scoring three unanswered goals, two in the first and one in the third, gave them the comfortable 3-0 lead. Luleå did manage to fight back and ripple the mesh late in the third frame but it was to little to late as Skellefteå completed the series comeback against their northern rivals, setting up a semi final series against Rögle.
The semi finals kicked off Thursday night with game one of the Växjö/Örebro matchup and it did not dissapoint. The Lakers were able to open the scoring early in the first frame, however, unfortunately for the Lakers, Viktor Fasth went down with an injury in the first period and was replaced by Erik Källgren. Örebro was able to put a pair of goals past Källgren in the first period to carry the 2-1 lead into the second frame. Undettered by the loss of their star goalie and backed by a fantastic performance by Källgren between the pipes, Växjö was able to tie the game late in the second frame. Despite a fifteen shot performance from the Lakers in the third, they were unable to ripple the mesh and game 1 would go to overtime. Both teams exchanged good chances in the first overtime frame but both goaltenders played well and refused to allow a goal. The second overtime frame was much of the same, lots of chance and good goaltening on both sides. With just under 8 minutes to play in the 5th period, Jack Drury made a beautiful pass to Richard Gynge for the tap home and the game winner as the Lakers took game 1 of the series 3-2.
The next two games between the Lakers and Örbero were masterclass performances by the goaltenders as Jhonas Enroth and Erik Källgren would exchange shutouts in game 2 and 3. Game 2 saw Enroth turn aside all 25 shots he faced and Örebros lone goal from from Linus Öberg in the third period would be all they needed to tie the series at one game apiece. Game 3 on Sunday would be an almost mirror opposite of game 2 as Källgren looked unbeatable right from the get go. Despite the loss in game 2 he looked confident and solid right from the first puck drop and did not make a single mistake all game, turning aside all 31 shots Örebro threw at him. Marcus Sylvegårds lone goal in the first period was all that was needed for the Lakers to pull off the victory and take the 2-1 series lead. Växjö will have a chance to finish the series and punch their ticket to the finals on Tuesday night.
The second semi final matchup between Rögle and Skellefteå has also been a tight contest. Rögle continues their historic run as they have been in uncharted territory ever since their first win in the quarterfinals. The first semi final matchup in Rögles history came on Friday evening and they came out flying. An early goal from From Dennis Everberg got them started on the right foot as they would ripple the mesh a second time before the end of the first. Skellefteå would pull them back within one in the third frame but Adam Edström would restore the two goal lead just a few minutes later. A late goal from Oscar Möller applied some pressure late in the game but Rögle held on to take game 1 by a score of 3-2.
It was a very quick turnaround after Friday nights game concluded as game 2 was a Saturday afternoon affair. With a best of five series being played, Rögle had a chance to take a stranglehold on the series in game 2. The teams exchanged goals in the first frame, but other than that it was a tight defensive game as Rögle managed to hold Skellefteå to just 16 shots on net in the entire game. It was Erik Andersson who broke the deadlock in the third frame and Rögle held Skellefteå to just 3 shots in the final period. Holding on for the 2-1 win and taking the 2-0 series lead, Rögle now have a chance to move on to their first final in club history tonight as the series shifts back to Skellefteå.
This weeks top performers:
- Oscar Möller (Skellefteå) 2G 1A
- Joakim Lindström (Skellefteå) 1G 2A
- Robin Kovacs (Örbero) 1G 1A
- Leon Bristedt (Rögle) 1G 1A
- Jack Drury (Växjö) 1G 1A
Erik Källgren (Växjö) posted a pair of wins with 84 saves on 87 shots faced. Christoffer Rifalk (Rögle) posted a pair of wins with 35 saves on 38 shots faced. And Jhonas Enroth (Örebro) posted a single win with 95 saves on 98 shots faced.
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