Färjestad secured a 5-3 victory over Djurgården in a heated SHL game at Löfbergs Arena on Saturday evening. Djurgården mounted a comeback in the third period but faltered after Jesse Ylönen's match penalty. The sold-out crowd of 8,250 witnessed a physical contest between the classic rivals.
The game marked the first meeting between Färjestad and Djurgården since March 2022, when Djurgården was relegated from the SHL. Played in a packed Löfbergs Arena, the match lived up to its billing as a fierce rivalry clash.
Djurgården trailed 1-0 after the first period and 3-1 after the second. Early in the third, Färjestad extended the lead to 4-1 on a power-play goal. However, Djurgården responded strongly, with goals from Viggo Björck (2-1), Jacob Josefson (4-2), and Marcus Krüger (4-3, his first of the season on a deflection assisted by Arvid Costmar). Krüger also won 17 of 19 faceoffs.
With 4:51 remaining and Djurgården pushing for a tie, forward Jesse Ylönen received a match penalty for a head check on Färjestad's Viktor Lodin. This led to an extended power play, during which Färjestad scored an empty-net goal for the 5-3 final. Ylönen, who has two goals and one assist in 14 games this season, expressed disappointment: "It was a bad penalty and I'm very disappointed it turned into such a call." He added, "I missed the hit, but apparently the referees thought I hit him."
Djurgården coach Robert Kimby praised his team's fightback: "It's a match with heat out there, that's what you want. We eat our way into it and stand up well, especially in the second half." He noted defensive lapses: "We get thin in front of our own net and have to work uphill from there."
Goaltender Magnus Hellberg made 24 saves on 28 shots for an 85.7% save percentage, giving his team a chance despite tough situations. Färjestad capitalized on over eight minutes of power play, scoring twice in numerical advantages.
Arvid Costmar returned after playing for Södertälje on Friday and provided energy with nine shifts and over six minutes of ice time, including his assist. Younger forwards Victor Eklund and Anton Frondell struggled but showed improvement late, per Kimby.
Player ratings highlighted strong showings from Philip Holm (8/10) and Jacob Josefson (8/10), while Ylönen and others earned lower marks for defensive errors.