Luleå defeated Frölunda 3-2 in overtime in the first game of their SHL quarterfinal series at Scandinavium in Gothenburg on March 23, 2026. Anton Levtchi scored the winning goal for Luleå on a power play in the extra period. The goal came after a penalty called on Frölunda's Tom Nilsson for tripping, a decision that reportedly frustrated Frölunda's coach Robert Ohlsson, who called it a very thin penalty in a TV4 interview.
According to reports, some Frölunda players and fans were upset because Levtchi had not been penalized for an earlier tripping incident on Filip Cederqvist. After scoring, Levtchi celebrated by mimicking Cederqvist's signature goal celebration. In regulation, Eetu Koivistoinen scored first for Luleå, with Cederqvist and Noah Dower Nilsson equalizing for Frölunda, and Isac Hedqvist giving Luleå a temporary lead.
a very thin penalty
Frölunda had a strong offensive push late in the third period but was stopped by Luleå's defense and goaltender Matteus Ward. The second game of the series is scheduled for Wednesday in Gothenburg.