Björklöven now leads the semifinal series against Södertälje 3-1 in matches. The team won the key match in Scaniarinken on Monday, according to multiple reports. Mathew Maione scored the winning goal for Björklöven in overtime of the second semifinal match, multiple reports indicate. The goal came from a distance, according to official sources.
In the second game against Södertälje, Södertälje scored 1-0 after two minutes, official sources said. Björklöven turned the game around, partly after a solo action from Fredrik Forsberg, according to official sources. Södertälje equalized late in the game and took it to overtime, official sources confirmed. After video review, the goal was approved, according to official sources.
Björklöven took the lead late in the first period through Joel Mustonen, assisted by Philip Hemmyr. Daniel Brodin scored Björklöven's second goal in an unusual way, with the puck bouncing off his skate into the net. Fredrik Forsberg scored and assisted for Björklöven in the second semifinal match, multiple reports indicate.
Södertälje won their first home game on Easter Eve 4-2 to reduce the series deficit, according to multiple reports. Södertälje captain Patrik Zackrisson left the game injured after the first period, multiple reports indicate.
Björklöven won the first quarterfinal match against Oskarshamn 5-2. Gustaf Kangas scored the winning goal for Björklöven 34 seconds into overtime in match three, according to multiple reports.
A.J. Vanderbeck scored a hat-trick for Södertälje against his former team Kalmar in the first quarterfinal, multiple reports indicate. Kalmar scored four goals in one period against Södertälje, leading to goalie Love Härenstam being replaced after the first period, according to reports. Kalmar won the match 5-2, tying the quarterfinal series 1-1, reports said.
The move I've done before, but the finish was something new. It was a bit of luck there, it was nice to see it go in.
In other playoff action, BIK Karlskoga won the first quarterfinal match against Nybro 4-2, according to reports. Kalle Jellvert scored the 4-2 goal for BIK Karlskoga to seal the win, reports indicate. Nybro goalie Tex Williamsson was injured and replaced by Hugo Hävelid in the third period of the second match, according to reports.
Lindlöven won the first quarterfinal match in Hockeyettan against Forshaga 5-2, multiple reports indicate. Visby/Roma won the quarterfinal series against Tranås 3-1 in matches after a 4-3 overtime win, according to multiple reports. Andreas Thelander scored two goals for Visby/Roma, including the overtime winner, reports said.
Vita Hästen played their final regular season match against Västerviks IK on Saturday, February 28 at 16:00 at Himmelstalundshallen, according to research sources. Vita Hästen won the match against Västerviks IK with a score of 4-3 after overtime, multiple reports indicate. Gustav Lindberg was the match-winner for Vita Hästen in the game against Västerviks IK, according to reports. Vita Hästen's next opponent is Visby/Roma, with the match scheduled for Sunday, February 15 at 16:00 in Himmelstalundshallen, research sources confirm.
Vita Hästen won against Grums, with the victory being their fifth win in the last six matches, according to research sources. Vita Hästen is top of the table, tied on points with second-place Tingsryd, but Tingsryd has played one fewer match, research sources indicate.
The next two games will be played in Södertälje, according to official sources. The next match is played on Wednesday in Umeå, official sources said.
Björklöven coach Magnus Bogren said his team talks about wins and they have two wins now, adding he thinks it is strong of them to come back after letting in a goal at the end. Södertälje coach Andreas Johansson described losing in overtime as always bitter, but noted he thinks his team becomes stronger and stronger in the match. The series now shifts back to Södertälje for what could be a decisive game.
Several uncertainties remain as the playoffs continue. Beyond Zackrisson's and Williamsson's injuries, detailed results and standings for other playoff series like Kalmar versus Södertälje or BIK Karlskoga versus Nybro are still developing. The path to the finals remains contested across multiple fronts.