Djurgården beat Malmö 3-2 in overtime during the first game of their SHL playoff quarterfinal series at Hovet. The league's chief referee Tomas Thorsbrink later stated the winning goal should not have been allowed. Malmö coach Tomas Kollar expressed anger, while Djurgården's Robert Kimby said he would have felt the same.
In the opening match of the best-of-three åttondelsfinalen between Djurgården and Malmö, Djurgården secured a 1-0 series lead with a 3-2 overtime victory at Hovet. The decisive goal came just over nine minutes into overtime during a power play, when Anton Frondell shot the puck and David Blomgren positioned himself in front of Malmö goaltender Oskar Blomgren in the crease area. Referees approved the goal both on ice and after video review, ruling Blomgren was in motion and not interfering. Malmö's Blomgren disagreed, stating to Hockeynews: “I feel there is clear contact in the face. He stops me from coming out. I see nothing and he disturbs me in the goal area.” SHL domarchef Tomas Thorsbrink issued a statement on Wednesday morning: “It should not be a goal and it is deeply regrettable that it went wrong.” Malmö coach Tomas Kollar was furious post-match, echoing Thorsbrink's assessment. At the press conference, Djurgården coach Robert Kimby sat beside Kollar and acknowledged: “I would have felt the same. Because I always feel that way when I lose.” Kimby emphasized focusing forward: “It’s a new match. There is only one thing to care about and that is the shift I have now. Reset and do it again.” He added that Djurgården controls what it can, preparing for the next game in Malmö without dwelling on external noise.
