Rögle BK overturned a 0–3 deficit to win 5–3 in the first SHL playoff semifinal against Växjö Lakers HC on Wednesday. The Ängelholm team tied the game in just over five minutes in the second period and sealed the victory in the third. It marks another impressive comeback following their historic quarterfinal turnaround.
Rögle BK faced a tough challenge at Vida Arena as Växjö took a 3–0 lead with Brian Cooper's goal midway through the game. But the Ängelholm team turned it around quickly. In just over five minutes, Lubos Horky, Daniel Zaar, and Karson Kuhlman each scored to tie the game before the third period.
Daniel Zaar told TV4 Play: 'It didn't feel entirely fair (with Växjö's lead) and we know that if we keep working, the bounces will come our way too. So it was great.' Over six minutes into the final period, Anton Bengtsson snapped in the 4–3 goal. Växjö pulled the goalie late, but Karson Kuhlman countered for a 5–3 empty-netter.
Match-winner Anton Bengtsson said to TV4 Play: 'We have a damn belief in our way of playing. We work our way into the game, go down 1–3, get energy from it. And then we just keep going.' Rögle coach Dan Tangnes praised the team's confidence, while defenseman Calvin de Haan told SVT Sport: 'No lead is safe against us.'
The semifinal series is best-of-seven, with the next game on Friday in Växjö. Rögle previously made history by overturning a 0–3 series deficit against Färjestad in the quarterfinals. However, Mark Friedman was forced to leave early due to a hit.
