Goalkeeper Linus Söderström played a pivotal role in the victory, making an impressive 27 saves and recording his third clean sheet of the playoffs. SkellefteĂ„ started slowly as Ărebro went for the kill but Söderström kept AIK in the game until, they started pressing Ărebro back and were rewarded with two second period goals.
Speaking after the match, Söderström acknowledged the stressful situation his team faced after being down 0-2 in the series, but was proud of the way they responded. "I felt that as a team we really seized the occasion. Maybe not in the first period, but definitely in the second and in the end we won deservedly," he told C More.
Söderström's stellar performance in the playoffs has made him the best goalkeeper in the tournament so far, with three clean sheets to his name. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism that the team had found a new level in their play, saying "We found a voice that we haven't had before in this match series. We will build on that."
The win gives SkellefteÄ new hope as they aim to even the series and earn a spot in the final.
The fourth match is on Friday evening in Ărebro.
FACT BOX
Semi-final 3 of 7
SkellefteĂ„ AIKâĂrebro 3â0 (0â0, 2â0, 1â0)
Goals: 1â0 (29.17) PĂ€r Lindholm (Oskar Nilsson, Joakim Lindström), 2â0 (37.12) Andreas Wingerli (Tom KĂŒhnhackl, Max Lindholm), 3â0 (58.57) Filip Sandberg (Tom KĂŒhnhackl), game five against six
Shots: 31 - 27
Attendance: 5801 - sold out
Ărebro leads the series 2â1.