Djurgården secured a 4-2 victory over Brynäs at Avicii Arena, rebounding from a recent heavy loss. The win came before 13,950 fans, with strong performances from North American imports Charles Hudon and Joe Snively. Brynäs coach Niklas Gällstedt expressed deep frustration over his team's lackluster effort.
Djurgården hosted Brynäs in the SHL on Saturday afternoon at Avicii Arena, marking their second meeting this season after a 3-1 win for Djurgården on Hovet two weeks prior. Brynäs arrived with momentum from back-to-back away wins against Örebro and Skellefteå, supported by around 1,000 fans who displayed a tifo before puck drop. However, Djurgården struck first early in the opening period, with Viggo Björck scoring on a behind-the-back pass from Charles Hudon for a 1-0 lead. Hudon added his own goal shortly after to make it 2-0.
The game remained tight through two periods, with shots even at 13-14, but Djurgården extended the lead to 3-0 via Joe Snively's wrist shot into the top corner, assisted by Anton Frondell. Brynäs coach Niklas Gällstedt called a timeout soon after the third goal, despite time remaining until the second intermission. 'We talked about competing, and that was what I wanted us to do. Compete a bit more. I don't think there was any at all. We became very small,' Gällstedt said post-game.
Brynäs showed some fight in the third, scoring twice to narrow the gap to 3-2, but Djurgården responded with a fourth goal for the final 4-2 score. Goalie Magnus Hellberg, returning from illness, made 22 saves on 24 shots for a .917 save percentage. Hudon and Snively each reached 16 points through 17 games, while juniors Björck (1+1), Frondell (0+2), and Victor Eklund (0+1) contributed significantly.
Djurgården coach Robert Kimby praised the team's patience: 'We have patience and are here and, the classic word, compete. But overall, it was a tight match.' On the Brynäs side, forward Johannes Kinnvall was blunt: 'Nothing works out there. We don't work for each other and that's how you lose games. Right now, it's just piss.' Gällstedt echoed the disappointment, noting the large Brynäs crowd made the loss sting more: 'We have enormous support. That makes me even more disappointed in how we look.' Brynäs sits with 20 points from 18 games, 22 points behind leaders Frölunda.
