Skellefteå AIK secured its fifth SM ice hockey gold by defeating Rögle BK 7–3 in the fifth final match. Oscar Lindberg, named the playoffs' most valuable player, was praised for his season. The club celebrated in a packed arena in Skellefteå.
Skellefteå AIK won the final series against Rögle BK 4–1 in matches and claimed its fifth SM gold in club history, the fourth in 13 years. In the decisive fifth match on Saturday, the home team turned a 0–2 deficit into a 7–3 victory. Rögle led early with goals from Mark Friedman and Lubos Horky, but Skellefteå equalized at the end of the first period through Oscar Lindberg and Mikkel Aagaard on powerplay.
From 0–2, Skellefteå scored five straight goals. Viktor Grahn, Oliver Okuliar (two goals), Victor Stjernborg, and Rickard Hugg sealed it. Lindberg, 34, topped the points leaderboard in both the regular season (67 points in 52 games) and playoffs (14 points, 5 goals + 9 assists). He received the Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy as playoffs MVP, his second after 2013, and regular season MVP.
Coach Daniel Hermansson, in his SHL debut season from Mora, praised Lindberg: 'What a hockey player and character. He has had a tremendous season and helped us in every way.' Lindberg emphasized the team: 'It is a fantastic group. A magical season.' Pär Lindholm told TV4: 'We have been completely damn dominant.'
Skellefteå's dominance over the past 15 years includes six runner-up finishes and five regular season titles. Celebrations erupted in Skellefteå Kraft arena with thrown helmets and cheering fans.
