Kalmar HC defeated Södertälje SK 5-2 in game three of their HockeyAllsvenskan quarterfinal series, taking a 2-1 lead. Tensions boiled over in the second period, highlighted by George Diaco's provocative celebration after scoring. SSK players criticized the incident while lamenting a weak middle period.
Södertälje SK hosted Kalmar HC in game three of the HockeyAllsvenskan quarterfinals at Scaniarinken. SSK started strongly, taking a 1-0 lead on Roope Laavainen's power-play goal in the first period. However, Jesper Lindén equalized for Kalmar with four seconds remaining, shifting momentum. Kalmar dominated the second period, scoring three goals to lead 4-1, including George Diaco's 3-1 tally. Diaco celebrated by gesturing toward SSK fans, prompting objects thrown onto the ice and boos every time he touched the puck thereafter. SSK's Niklas Arell called it 'väldigt fegt och dåligt gjort' (very cowardly and poorly done), suggesting it may have caused his team to lose focus. Patrik Zackrisson scored on the power play to make it 2-4 in the third, but Kalmar held on for the 5-2 victory. SSK's Andrew Vanderbeck emphasized the need to play full 60 minutes: 'Vi behöver spela för fullt i 60 minuter. Vi kan inte ha tio, tolv minuters dippar.' Zackrisson noted the strong start with good energy. Kalmar forward Gabriel Olsson downplayed the incident: 'Vi blir glada när vi gör mål och det är mycket känslor därute.' Carl-Johan Lerby added, 'De får hålla på hur mycket de vill, det är lugnt.' Post-game, Kalmar required a police escort from angry fans targeting Diaco. Game four is set for Saturday in Scaniarinken.
