Linus Söderström had another big game and kept his fifth clean sheet in this year's playoffs.
It was the tightest, hardest-fought, most tension-filled game of the entire series. You could tell that from the shots on goal stats, 18-17 in favor of Skellefteå. That's around half of the shots on goal recorded in earlier games of the series.
But, when Jonathan Johnsson poked home the puck just before the end of the second period, after a scramble, there was a sense of inevitability that his scrappy effort would be enough.
Skellefteå's game management in the third period was exemplary as they kept Örebro at an arm's length, like an older brother fending off a younger sibling by using his extra reach. Linus Söderström in goal was imperious again, with his fifth clean sheet of the play-offs,
The win capped a sensational comeback from Skellefteå, having been at one point 2-0 down in the series. Are they running into form again at just the right time?
On now to the final. It's the ninth SM final in the club's history and the eighth in the last thirteen years, which is a remarkable statistic.
AIK will meet Växjö in the best-of-seven SM final, which starts in Småland this Saturday. They were the top two teams of the regular season, so this match-up for the championship feels right.
Jonathan Johnsson celebrates after scoring the only goal with 15 seconds left in the second period.
FAKTA
Örebro–Skellefteå AIK 0–1 (0–0, 0–1, 0–0)
The goals: 0–1 (39-45) Jonathan Johnson (Hugg),
Shots: 17–18 (4–6, 8–11, 5–1)
Penalty minutes: 4–10.
Attendance: 5,500.
* AIK to SM final after 4–2 in matches.
