In the first period, AIK were a pliant opponent, allowing the home team to do as they pleased. Then they transformed and stole the show.
The game started evenly, but when former AIK defenseman Michael Kapla entered the offensive zone and caused chaos, Rögle's Thomas Gregoire managed to slip the puck behind Linus Söderström. After that, AIK's defense completely collapsed and Rögle scored twice more to lead 3-0 after the first period.
But in the second period, AIK clicked. And how. By the time there were two minutes left of the second period, AIK were level, with well-taken goals from Heikkinen, Hugg and Lindberg, and it was Rögle's turn to look dishevelled and beaten.
AIK may have started the third period sluggishly but Rögle still looked there for the taking, something that AIK finally realised six minutes in when, after a terrible first period, captain Jonathan Pudas redeemed himself by scoring the go-ahead goal.
Another AIK goal followed shortly after, Heikkinen scoring his second goal aof the night.
Then, despite being down to three men when ill-discipline set in, they dug in, defended stoutly, and were rewarded when Sandin Pellikka smashed the puck into the top corner to complete a remarkable comeback. That's four SHL wins from the last five games. AIK are in the groove.
Match details
Rögle BK–Skellefteå AIK 3–6 (3–0, 0–3, 0–3)
Goals: 1–0 (3.39) Thomas Gregoire (Tambellini, Kapla), 2–0 (11.17) Rodrigo Abols (Everberg, Tambellini), 3–0 (19.12) Adam Tambellini (Abols, Viljanen), 3–1 (23.45) Anton Heikkinen (Lindberg), 3–2 (33.21) Rickard Hugg (Salomonsson, Lindberg), 3–3 (38.21) Oscar Lindberg (Salomonsson, Sikura), 3–4 (46.33) Jonathan Pudas, 3–5 (48.59) Anton Heikkinen (Lindberg, Hugg), 3–6 (57.30) Axel Sandin Pellikka.
Shots: 27–31 (10–8, 5–16, 12–7)
Penalty minutes: 4–31 (0–2, 0–0, 2–31)
Referees: Mikael Sjöqvist, Daniel Eriksson.
