Skellefteå AIK won the first SHL quarterfinal against Malmö Redhawks 4–1 in a match where the visitors held on for a long time. Oscar Lindberg, who received the Guldhjälmen before puck drop, was key to the victory. The next game is on Wednesday.
Skellefteå AIK defeated Malmö Redhawks 4–1 in the first SHL quarterfinal, a best-of-seven series. The game took place in Skellefteå's arena, where the regular-season winners from Västerbotten took a 1–0 series lead. Before puck drop, Oscar Lindberg received the Guldhjälmen as the regular season's most valuable player, voted by peers. SHL's points leader was involved in the 2–1 power-play goal in the second period, shooting the post for Mikkel Aagaard to rebound after Janne Kuokkanen's penalty. Teammate Rickard Hugg called Lindberg ”the league's by far best player” and ”a privilege to play with him” to TV4 Play. Lauri Pajuniemi gave Malmö a 1–0 lead just over six minutes into the second via the slot, but Jonatan Johnson tied it 15 seconds later. Emil Djuse made it 3–1 with a slapshot in the third, and Andreas Johnson scored 4–1 into an empty net. Oskar Blomgren starred in Malmö's net, and Pajuniemi was a pest with checks and pinches. Redhawks, who eliminated Djurgården in the preliminary round, have lost five games to Skellefteå this season. ”We must play more physically. The next game is ours”, Pajuniemi said. Skellefteå rested ahead of the quarter while Malmö qualified.
