Björklöven defeated Södertälje 3-2 in overtime during game two of their SHL playoff semifinal, securing a 2-0 series lead. The match in Umeå went 78 minutes, with Mathew Maione scoring the winner after 18 minutes of the fourth period. Södertälje fought back despite losing captain Patrik Zackrisson early.
Södertälje struck first again, mirroring game one, as Felix Öhrqvist fired a screened shot past Björklöven goaltender Frans Tuohimaa for a 1-0 lead after the opening period. Öhrqvist noted, “Bara skicka in den på kassen och det gick vägen.” Björklöven dominated possession but struggled on power plays, going 0-for-5 in the series so far against Södertälje's strong penalty kill. SSK coach Andreas Johansson praised his team's defensive effort but declined to discuss Zackrisson's status beyond confirming he left after the first period, saying, “Jag tänker inte så mycket på framtiden just nu.” Björklöven flipped the script in the second period. Fredrik Forsberg ignited the comeback with a solo effort, deking defender Hampus Harlestam and goaltender Niclas Westerholm to tie the game. Forsberg then assisted Jacob Olofsson for a 2-1 lead. “Vi spelar bra hockey men har inte fått utdelning. Lika som i förra matchen men tålamodet kommer avgöra,” Forsberg said. Andrew Vanderbeck equalized late in the third for Södertälje, his first goal since the quarterfinals against Kalmar. “Jag har inte gjort mål på ett tag... behöver jag bidra mer offensivt. Fint att göra det,” Vanderbeck told TV4. Olofsson lamented, “Vi har matchen där vi vill... Men dråpliga mål.” In overtime, Björklöven's depth prevailed as Mathew Maione netted the decisive goal. Coach Magnus Bogren's squad showed resilience, while Södertälje, having played more games recently, tired late. Game three shifts to Södertälje, where they must win to avoid a 3-0 deficit.
