HV71 secured a 5-2 victory over Djurgården in the Swedish Hockey League at a sold-out Husqvarna Garden, ending their pre-Christmas schedule on a high note despite injury absences. Loan forward Eddie Levin starred with a goal and two assists, while Djurgården's goalkeeper Magnus Hellberg endured multiple hits and fan taunts. The match was delayed by pyrotechnics from Djurgården supporters.
The game between HV71 and Djurgården kicked off 12 minutes late after Djurgården fans ignited pyrotechnics, leading to their section being cleared. Played before 6,800 spectators in Jönköping, HV71 overcame an early deficit to win 5-2, providing a morale boost for a team missing 11 players in their previous outing against Frölunda, where they earned a point.
Djurgården took a 2-1 lead after the first period, but HV71 equalized through Eddie Levin's cool backhand goal, assisted by Lukas Rousek. Levin, a 25-year-old on loan from Kalmar HC, described the moment: "I saw Rousek early so I knew I would get it and there it was just to go on instinct." He added two assists in the second period for HV71's 3-2 and 4-2 goals, praising linemates Rousek and Ang: "I got a lot of offensive time and to play with two really good players."
The turning point came when Djurgården's Philip Holm unluckily deflected the puck into his own net for 4-2. Djurgården's chase faltered after a penalty, allowing Hugo Pettersson to score on power play for the final margin. Hellberg, returning from illness—his third coinciding with HV71 games this season—faced two concerning hits: first, William Ignberg Nilsson's skate glanced his helmet, which he called "really unpleasant"; second, Nikola Pasic collided with him post-save, leaving him motionless briefly. Hellberg noted the second hit jarred his shoulder and neck: "It blackened a bit... the first minute felt damn unpleasant."
HV71 fans chanted "filmare" (diver) at Hellberg after the Pasic incident, prompting gestures from the goalkeeper, who dismissed the taunts: "I know absolutely that I'm not a diver." Pasic received a two-minute penalty after video review. Djurgården's eight-game away losing streak continued, with player ratings highlighting Hellberg's resilience (7/10) amid a subpar team effort. Levin, focused on Kalmar's strong HockeyAllsvenskan campaign, deferred transfer talk: "That's what you have agents for. Full focus on Kalmar."
