SHL referee chief Tomas Thorsbrink confirmed an offside on William von Barnekow's 2-1 goal for Malmö Redhawks against Djurgården in the second eighth-final playoff game. The error echoes a controversial Djurgården goal in the first match that SHL also later acknowledged. A decisive third game is set for Saturday in Malmö.
The SHL playoff eighth-final series between Djurgården and Malmö Redhawks has been marked by referee controversies. In game one at Hovet, Djurgården's 3-2 overtime winner was approved after video review despite forward David Blomgren disturbing Malmö goaltender Oskar Blomgren. SHL later admitted the decision was incorrect, but the goal stood. Malmö's camp was upset over the call, which secured the win for Djurgården. In Thursday's game two, with 4:20 remaining, William von Barnekow scored what proved to be the 2-1 winner for Malmö. TV footage showed it was offside, but referees did not call it, and the goal was allowed. SHL domarchef Tomas Thorsbrink told Aftonbladet: “Det var offside... Det syns klart och tydligt på tv-bilderna att det är offside. Det är en bedömningsfråga när det går fort och små marginaler och domarna tog ett annat beslut.” He noted that the situationsrum cannot review offside plays and suggested a coach's challenge system, which clubs have rejected. Djurgården coach Robert Kimby downplayed the offside debate ahead of Friday's light training in Malmö Arena's B-hall. “Jag har ingen sån tanke på att det ska vara offside. Jag tycker att vi kan hantera situationen bättre,” he said to Hockeynews, emphasizing better defensive gaps. Kimby predicted forward Anton Frondell would be Djurgården's hero in the winner-take-all third game on Saturday, likening the pressure to last year's allsvenskan semifinal win over Södertälje. Players on ice included goaltender Daniel Marmenlind and forwards like David Blomgren and Anton Frondell. Good spirits prevailed despite the 2-1 loss.
