When Skellefteå AIK visited the Be-Ge Hockey Center to play Oskarshamn on Thursday night, it was a close match from the start. Oskarshamn, who hadn't lost at home to Skellefteå AIK for more than two years, had their chances early on.
But it wasn't until the start of the second period that the breakthrough came with a quick turnover that Logan Hutsko capitalized on to give the home team the lead.
AIK's answer didn't take long. With Max Lindholm unmarked in front of Marek Langhamer, he took a pass from Jonathan Pudas and turned to beat the goalkeeper.
AIK continued to create chances, but the game was decided in the third period, when Martins Dzierkals pounced on a loose puck to make it 2-1, thereby breaking his barren spell in front of goal.
With thirteen seconds left, Pudas was called for hooking, but when Pär Lindholm won the face-off, it was all over - AIK had secured their third win in a row.
Fact box
IK Oskarshamn – Skellefteå AIK 1–2 (0–0, 1–1, 0–1)
Goals: 1–0 (21.26) Logan Hutsko (Jasek, Olesen), 1–1 (26.45) Max Lindholm (Pudas, M. Forsfjäll), 1–2 (45.23) Martins Dzierkals (Lundberg, Pudas).
Shots: 19–29 (9–7, 4–12, 6–10)
Penalties: 2–4 (0–2, 2–0, 0–2)
Attendance: 3115
Referees: Richard Magnusson, Alexander Österberg.