Luleå Hockey claimed a 3-1 series lead against Frölunda HC in the SHL playoffs after Mathias Bromé scored in triple overtime during Sunday's marathon fourth game. The 177-minute, 29-second contest marked Luleå's third overtime victory in the series. Frölunda now faces additional setbacks with forward Noah Hasa sidelined for the season due to a fracture.
Mathias Bromé emerged as the hero again for Luleå, netting the winner in a 2-on-1 rush with Linus Omark after Frölunda's Christian Folin lost his edge and fell. The game, the second-longest playoff match in history, saw Frölunda lead twice before Luleå rallied. Bromé, who has six points in seven playoff games, spoke from the airport en route to Göteborg, saying, 'It feels good. We've taken care of our bodies.' He credited mental focus on each shift and capitalizing on small margins like power plays and opponent errors for Luleå's overtime success. Three of Luleå's wins came in extra time: 3-2, 2-1, and 4-3, offsetting a 7-0 loss in game two. Bromé noted Frölunda's puck possession but emphasized Luleå's ability to score more, stating, 'That's what counts in the end.' Luleå advanced past Örebro in the round of 16, while Frölunda topped most of the regular season before slipping to second behind Skellefteå. Frölunda received bad news when Noah Hasa suffered a season-ending fracture early in game four after a tackle by Luleå's Pontus Andreasson. He remained in Luleå post-match, assisted off the ice by teammates and medical staff. Frölunda coach Robert Ohlsson told Göteborgs-Posten, 'His season looks to be over... Fracture.' Max Westergård will replace Hasa for game five on Tuesday in Göteborg, where Luleå aims to close the series and earn rest.
