Frölunda has won the Champions Hockey League a total of four times. Other Swedish teams that have won are Luleå (2014-15) and Rögle (2021-22).
On Tuesday evening, Skellefteå had the chance to become the fourth Swedish team to lift the trophy since the tournament started in 2014.
One nation that did not have a winner until today, however, was Switzerland. Now Genève-Servette had the chance to become the country’s first CHL winner – where they were actually the first Swiss team to even reach the final.
Successful power play
The final, played in the arena, Patinoire des Vernets, in Geneva, got off to a flying start for those who like goals.
Eliot Berthon gave the home team the lead after five minutes of play when he was deliciously freed, tricked the goalkeeper and made it 1-0.
Martins Dzierkals neatly flicked home the equalizer a few minutes later, but it was the Swiss who were the strongest in the first period.
Via a pair of sharp numerical advantages, they scored two goals in one minute at the end of the first third. The Swedish acquaintance, Sakari Manninen, with a past in Örebro, made it 2-1 before Daniel Winnik headed in the third.
Important reduction
After a goalless middle period, there were two goals for the black and yellow from Västerbotten.
Halfway into the period, after the Swiss had played many minutes in a successful manner, a change came where Anton Heikkinen finally got the puck between the drawing circles.
The 23-year-old forward then stepped in centrally, aimed and found a gap in the former Brynäs goalkeeper, Jussi Olkinuora, until 2-3.
Got one last chance
After that, Skellefteå chased an equaliser, but the minutes passed quickly without any further results. With three minutes left to play in regular time, the big chance came when a numerical advantage appeared.
Goalkeeper Linus Söderström was picked out and they took the chance in game six against four at first. But the goals did not come, Geneva resisted and took home the CHL title 2023/2024.