AIK closes its grip on second place in the Hockeyallsvenskan.
It is clear after 3-0 against Djurgården in the last twin derby of the season.
– We are growing into it, although I think it is far from our best match, AIK coach Anton Blomqvist told TV4 after the match.
Hockey on TV4 Play
See all matches in Hockeyallsvenskan and SHL, as well as the finals.
AIK were visited on Friday evening by Djurgården, which was hot in advance on several levels. In addition to being the last twin derby of the regular season, it was also a match where important points were at stake in the top battle.
The dignity of the match was also something that was felt during the first period, which was characterized by struggle and heated emotions from all sides and corners.
What was well produced on the ice came above all from the visiting Djurgården, who lined up a series of hot scoring chances while AIK had problems getting into the match – despite massive support at Hovet.
Despite an eventful opening 20 minutes, it was still goalless before the second act, but then the goals came – for AIK.
AIK shook off a weak first period and went on a real knock at the start of the second. First, Christoffer Björk made it 1-0 after just over two minutes of play. It then took only five minutes before Richard Gynge found Zion Nybeck with a delicate pass, after which Nybeck was able to score the 2-0 goal in an open box.
Djurgården’s Michael Holmqvist tried to wake up his team by taking a timeout, but that had no effect either. Instead, AIK’s William Ignberg Nilsson intercepted a puck before making it 3-0 in a numerical deficit – AIK’s third goal in less than eight minutes.
The result stood for the rest of the second period and gave the home side a solid lead heading into the closing 20 minutes – a lead that was managed.
Anton Blomqvist had to watch his team – led by goalkeeper Tobias Normann – hold out even in the third period. This was also enough for AIK to finally secure a fairly comfortable 3–0 victory in this hot derby.
– We should be very happy that we get away in the first period, thanks a lot to Normann and our box play. We’re growing into it, even though I think it’s far from our best match, said a victorious Anton Blomqvist for TV4 after the match.
The victory means that AIK now moves up as sole runner-up in the table, while Djurgården is passed by Södertälje, who moves up to third place in the Hockeyallsvenskan.