Djurgården overcame an early injury to forward Victor Eklund and a 2-1 deficit to defeat Timrå 3-2 in a shootout at Hovet. Anton Frondell opened the scoring, Philip Holm tied the game shorthanded, and Viggo Björck sealed the victory on penalties. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the home team.
Djurgården hosted Timrå in a crucial SHL matchup at Hovet, breaking a three-game skid with a dramatic 3-2 victory decided in the shootout. The game marked the final outing for several Djurgården players before the World Junior Championship break.
Early in the first period, at 4:30, Djurgården's Victor Eklund, a 19-year-old JVM forward, suffered a slashing penalty from Timrå captain Anton Lander. Eklund, in his second shift after playing just 1:17, left the ice in visible pain and did not return, playing only two shifts total. Extra forward Håvard Salsten filled his spot in the lineup with Oula Palve and Joe Snively.
Djurgården struck first when Anton Frondell scored his 10th SHL goal of the season at 6:03 on a power play, making it 1-0. 'It was comfortable to get that one in. Maybe the easiest of the season. It was very open. The best part is that we win the game. Scoring a goal is a bonus,' Frondell said post-game.
Timrå responded, tying the score at 1-1 late in the first and taking a 2-1 lead in the second period. With three minutes left in regulation and trailing, Djurgården pulled goaltender Magnus Hellberg for an extra attacker. Charles Hudon was penalized for a high stick, leaving Djurgården shorthanded at 1-2. However, back Philip Holm scored on a solo rush to tie it at 2-2.
'It was strong that we somehow managed to turn it with Philip Holm's goal,' Frondell noted. 'The whole team, there was such energy in the bench when he got it in. We knew we had to go for it.'
Overtime solved nothing, and in the shootout, 17-year-old Viggo Björck delivered the decisive goal for the 3-2 win. Hellberg was stellar, saving key chances including the shootout decider, finishing with over 93% save percentage.
Frondell, who learned of his JVM selection on the train home from a loss to Frölunda, reflected on the boost: 'Yes, it probably gives some confidence for the last match before the JVM adventure. Right now, I'm just glad to win. It was nice; it's been a while.'
Player ratings highlighted strong performances from Hellberg (8/10), Jacob Josefson (8/10), and Ludvig Rensfeldt (8/10), while Eklund was not rated due to his limited play.