SHL Playoffs: Skelleftea two wins from title after lightning start versus Rogle

Victor Stjernborg scored the first two for Skelleftea
Victor Stjernborg scored the first two for SkellefteaFredrik Sundvall / Bildbyran Photo Agency / Profimedia

It's two wins from two in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) finals for Skelleftea after they scored four times in the opening 19 minutes in their 5-1 cruise at home to Rogle.

Following a 4-1 win in the first match of the Le Mat Trophy showdown, the top seeds made home advantage count once again, and another two wins in Angelholm before the end of the month will see them regain the SHL title.

Rogle looked to be starting a counter-attack less than two minutes in, only for a brilliant steal by Andreas Johnson to divert the puck to Lars Bryggman, who evaded the defence before squaring to Victor Stjernborg, who put the home side ahead.

High-sticking from Emil Djuse seemed to be an ideal route back in for RBK, but again their hopes were dashed when Martin Lundberg and Par Lindholm combined to set up Stjernborg to score his second when shorthanded.

And there were just over six minutes played when Skelleftea added a third, when Mikkel Aagaard got the slightest of edges on a quick turn and hit by Oscar Lindberg. Then, the other Lindberg - Valter Lindberg - was the architect of the home side's fourth, setting up Oliver Okuliar to all but win the game in the first period.

A penalty conceded by Rickard Hugg at the very end of period one gave Rogle another man advantage to start the second, and this time they used it well, as Lucas Ekestahl-Jonsson's shot was deflected first by Lubos Horky and then by Josh Dickinson on its way in.

But a comeback from the visitors never looked on, and was finally snuffed out in the final eight minutes, when Hugg atoned for his earlier infringement by teeing up Valter Lindberg to make it 5-1.

Rogle now have to win at least one of their two upcoming home games to keep the series alive, though they will do everything to avoid going 3-0 down when the sides meet again on Tuesday 28th.

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