Reigning SHL champions Luleå came from behind to defeat Örebro 6–2 in the first best-of-three eighth-final playoff game at Behrn Arena. Luleå scored four goals in under eight minutes during the second period to seize control, with the next match set for Thursday in Luleå. Örebro coach Niklas Eriksson lambasted his team's errors and lack of readiness.
The matchup kicked off Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Örebro's Behrn Arena. Örebro took an early 1–0 lead, but Luleå mounted a decisive comeback, netting four goals in under eight minutes midway through the second period to lead 4–1 (ending the period 4–2). Erik Gustafsson added a 5–2 tally late, followed by an empty-netter for the final 6–2 margin amid a subdued home crowd, energized only by Luleå supporters.
Örebro had entered playoffs on improved form with solid defense, but it crumbled against Luleå's physicality. Coach Niklas Eriksson was scathing post-game on TV4: "En dålig match, det är de tankarna jag tar med mig." He continued: "Luleå är mer redo att spela. I slutspel handlar det mycket om att vinna meter för meter och vinna sina dueller – och det gör de från start. Det är inget skönspel direkt." On errors: "Vi tappar puckar, de får vända på oss. Allt det vi har pratat om innan att de är bra på bjuder vi dem på."
Luleå's Linus Omark praised his team's control: "We played a good game and controlled it well. We created a lot with long attacks and put the pucks in. We know we're a good team." Örebro's Noah Steen griped: "They play very boring hockey. They just take the puck home and hold it." Teammate Christopher Mastomäki brushed off home-first-win stats: "That's nothing we care about."
Game 2 is Thursday in Luleå, with a potential decider Saturday if needed.
