Skellefteå AIK crushed Rögle BK 5-1 in Game 2 of the SHL SM-finals on April 25 at Skellefteå Kraft Arena, securing a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The hosts scored four goals before the first intermission, overwhelming Rögle with three on their first six shots, forcing a goalie change amid injuries.
Skellefteå started with a dream opening. Victor Stjernborg, a Malmö native, scored the 1-0 at 1:49 after Dennis Everberg lost possession (assist: Lars Bryggman). Expert Sanny Lindström noted, 'Han slarvar med pucken.' Stjernborg struck again on power play at 4:10 (assist: Martin Lundberg after Lukas Ekeståhl-Jonsson turnover), prompting Rögle coach Dan Tangnes' timeout. Oscar Lindberg shot for Mikkel Aagaard to tip in 3-0 at 6:35 on just six shots total. Tangnes then pulled Arvid Holm for Christoffer Rifalk, but Rifalk deflected Oliver Okuljar's shot into his own net for 4-0 before the period ended.
Strauss Mann was solid in net for Skellefteå, replacing Linus Söderström. Rögle improved later but Josh Dickinson's power-play goal made it 4-1 in the second. 19-year-old Valter Lindberg sealed 5-1 in the third. Stjernborg said: 'We came out hungry and ready today.' Tangnes lamented post-first period (at 0-4): 'Axlarna har varit väldigt högt upp och stressnivån så hög att vi åkt runt som galna kycklingar' to TV4.
Injuries hurt Rögle: points leader Daniel Zaar left after a clean hit by Oscar Lindberg; Linus Sandin missed his second game; Everberg, back from injury (2 goals, 4 assists in playoffs), appeared hobbled. Skellefteå's depth shone with lines featuring Andreas Johnson (12-0 +/- in playoffs), Stjernborg (10-0), Rickard Hugg, Lindberg, and Aagaard.
Skellefteå, with 10 finals since 2011, consistent top-six finishes since 2009, and three prior golds, looks poised for a fourth. Rögle must win four of the next five at home in Catena Arena, Ängelholm (Games 3-4 on April 28 and 30).
