It took 44 minutes for the deadlock to be broken in Saab Arena on Thursday evening. Nine minutes later, four goals had been scored.

Skellefteå AIK took a double lead in the final period, but the home team, Linköping, forced overtime. That's when Jonathan Pudas stepped up and found a gap between Marcus Högberg and the goalie's right post.

– It was a relief we finally won the game. We'd had some chances before, and we were glad that "Maxan" (Max Lindholm) drew a penalty that gave us another chance, said the match-winner afterward.

FAKTA

Linköping HC – Skellefteå AIK 2–3 e.förl. (0–0, 0–0, 2–2, 0–1)

Goals: 0–1 (44.06) Petter Granberg (Pudas, Sikura), 1–1 (49.19) Oskar Fantenberg, spel fem mot tre, 1–2 (52.27) Dylan Sikura (J. Johnson), 2–2 (52.42) Markus Ljungh (Fantenberg, Hävelid), 2–3 (62.30) Jonathan Pudas (Lindberg, J. Johnson), spel fyra mot tre.

Shots: 32–36 (12–11, 8–7, 12–12, 0–6)

Penalty minutes: 31–39 (2–4, 25–4, 4–31, 2–0)

Attendance: 5,045 personer.

Referees: Mikael Nord, Christoffer Holm.