Västerås Hockey defeated Troja-Ljungby 4-3 on the road in game three of their best-of-seven series for a hockeyallsvenska contract, now leading 3-0. David Madsen scored the game-winner with 1:13 left, while a controversial penalty box incident involving Henrik Malmström aided Troja's tie at 1-1.
Västerås holds a 3-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series against Troja-Ljungby for a new hockeyallsvenska contract after a tight 4-3 victory in game three on Troja's home ice. The match featured even play with both teams capitalizing on power plays and a peculiar situation at 3-3 where Henrik Malmström was involved while teams alternated attacks during a critical moment. Earlier, Malmström served a penalty but was delayed returning to the ice by a Troja official, allowing Troja to tie the score at 1-1. 'Det är låst, han kommer inte in. Nu kommer han in och då är det försent. Troja gör 1–1,' noted commentator Linus Eklund on TV4. Malmström expressed frustration post-period: 'Det får inte hända.' Additionally, Västerås' Oscar Lawner received a match penalty in the first period for a cross-check on Troja's Albin Nilsson, described by referee Mikael Nord as 'Kraften är hård, vårdslös mot en försvarslös spelare.' This marked the second consecutive game with a Västerås match penalty in the opening period, following Carl Jakobsson's in game two. Anton Gradin narrowly missed a big chance by hitting the crossbar, and Carl Jakobsson struck the post late, but Madsen delivered immediately after with 1:13 remaining. Oliver Håkanson then preserved the win with a key save on Linus Skager's shot as Troja pulled their goaltender. Game-winning goalscorer David Madsen reflected: 'Sånt här man sett fram emot som liten pojk, få spela matcher som gäller och som betyder så mycket för en klubb och stad som den här, det är bara kul att få vara med om.' Västerås can clinch the series in Ljungby on Thursday or at home on Saturday.
