It was the first game of the SHL season, and the crowd was big, a sign of a new season. The game started slowly: It wasn't until halfway through the first period, when AIK had a power play opportunity, that the home team found its rhythm.
However, no goals were scored during the power play. It wasn't until the second period, when the visiting newcomers gained momentum, that the deadlock was broken. Seconds after Petter Granberg returned to the ice from the penalty bench, Linus Söderström scored to give Modo the lead.
But the lead only lasted two minutes. When AIK had another power play, Max Lindholm found Oscar Lindberg over the center line and Lindberg slapped for AIK's first goal of the season.
The home team started the third period aggressively and had a golden opportunity to take the lead. With two Modo players off the ice in the penalty box and AIK on a five-on-three power play, Filip Sandberg hit the post, but AIK couldn't get any closer, and overtime, and then a shoot-out, was required to separate the teams.
When Oscar Lindberg scored the only goal in the shoot-out and then Linus Söderström was resolute in goal, AIK finally had what they wanted - two points in the season opener.
The facts
Skellefteå AIK – Modo Hockey 2–1 after shootout (0–0, 1–1, 0–0, 0–0, 1–0)
Goals: 0–1 (27.00) Kristians Rubins (Aagard), 1–1 (28.43) Oscar Lindberg (M. Lindholm, Nilsson), five against four, 2–1 (65.00) Oscar Lindberg, shoot-out.
Shots: 22–18 (11–7, 4–6, 7–5, 7–3)
Penalties: 9–17 (2–2, 2–2, 0–6, 5–7)
Attendance: 5,643
