HV71 won the first SHL relegation qualifier match against Leksand 2–1 after a tense third period. Leksand mounted heavy pressure but failed to equalize. The best-of-seven series continues in Jönköping.
In the first SHL relegation qualifier match, HV71 defeated Leksand 2–1 at home in Jönköping on March 18, 2026. Justin Kloos gave HV71 a 1–0 lead in the final seconds of the first period on a rebound from Hugo Fransson's shot. Martin Johnsen made it 2–0 late in the second period on a breakaway set up by Niklas Hansson. 'It was damn nice and I think we made a solid effort. It was really good actually,' Johnsen told SVT Sport. Leksand pulled one back early in the third through Michael Lindqvist to make it 2–1 after a dump-in by Lukas Vejdemo. Leksand outshot HV71 16–6 in the third and pressed with an empty net late, but HV71 held firm. Late in the second period, Leksand's Marcus Karlberg received a high-stick penalty after being hit in the face. The crowd chanted 'filmare,' but Karlberg told SVT Sport: 'It hit straight on the mouth and the ref took it... Then them shouting is part of it. They're partial to their team.' HV71 captain Olle Alsing said: 'Super nice of course.' Expert Jonas Andersson noted: 'HV71 is the better team over the whole match.' A loss means relegation to HockeyAllsvenskan, with major financial gaps – around 50 million SEK in SHL versus five million in the second tier. The next match is on Friday in Jönköping.
