Skellefteå opened the scoring early in the first period, through 19-year-old Elias Salomonsson. At that point it seemed the stage was set for a regal procession into the final.
But the Czech visitors did not fold. Instead, after conceding at least three clear-cut chances to AIK, chances that should have ended the contest, they worked their way back into the game, and midway through, equalized on the night through Marcel Barinka.
Vitkovice needed two more goals to send the match into xtra-time. And of course there were nerves. These nerves tightened still further 1:38 into the third period, when Vitkovice took a 2-1 lead and then put monumental pressure on Linus Söderström in goal.
But despite the pressure and the five-on-six game, Skellefteå held on to advance to their first-ever CHL final. Genève-Servette HC from Switzerland is waiting for them and the game will be played in Switzerland on February 20.
FAKTA
CHL
Semifinal second leg
Skellefteå AIK–Vitkovice 1–2 (1–0, 0–1, 0–1)
Goals: 1–0 (5.43) Elias Salomonsson u.a, 1–1 (32.53) Marcel Barinka (Wille Raskob), 1–2 (41.38) Marek Kalus (Valentin Claireaux).
Referees: Joonas Kova, Kristian Vikman.