Skellefteå defeated Luleå 4–3 in the SHL playoff semifinal that became the longest match ever, lasting 122 minutes and 18 seconds across seven periods and breaking the 1997 record of 119 minutes and 16 seconds set by Leksand against Färjestad. Andreas Johnson scored the decisive goal just under three minutes into the seventh period.
Skellefteå claimed a dramatic 4–3 victory over Luleå in the first SHL playoff semifinal after a record-breaking battle that extended into uncharted territory—the first game in league history to reach a seventh period following six scoreless periods after regulation and overtime.
Skellefteå led 3–1 early in the third period, just 18 seconds in, with Oscar Lindberg scoring past Luleå goaltender Matteus Ward. Luleå mounted a comeback: Oscar Engsund reduced the deficit via a lucky deflection off an opponent's skate, and defenceman Frederic Allard tied it at 3–3 on a power play midway through the period.
The match stretched into overtime, with Luleå's Mathias Bromé describing the play as 'very tentative,' both teams waiting for mistakes after 120 minutes.
Andreas Johnson finally sealed the win for Skellefteå in the seventh period. “Incredibly relieving. Felt like there would never be a decisive goal. Relieving. We played well,” Johnson told TV4, as reported by Aftonbladet.
Skellefteå's Pär Lindholm addressed refueling between periods: “There's all sorts of things. There's pizza, but to be completely honest, you're not that hungry for it. It's more energy drinks and such,” he said to TV4 Play.
Last year's SM champions Luleå have a history of sudden-death thrillers, including three overtimes against Frölunda in the quarterfinals. Their previous longest, 117 minutes and 29 seconds by Mathias Bromé, now ranks second in history.
