Nilsson saved Frölunda – after Lindvall’s monster rescue

See highlights from all matches in the SHL playoffs on TV4 Play.

Skellefteå has impressed during the playoffs and after the first two games in the semifinal series against Frölunda, the team had won six straight (Linköping was defeated 4-0 in the quarterfinals).

Just before match three in Scandinavium, Skellefteå also announced that Pär Lindholm and Andreas Johnson came into play after being briefly uncertain due to injury concerns.

In other words, it was an away team that had a tailwind ahead of Wednesday’s clash, and it was noticeable in the start of the match.

Skellefteå created pressure against Lasse Johansson in the Frölunda goal and created several chances in their own power play, but Johansson and his Frölunda stood on the podium.

Lindvall sniffed Halbgewachs

At the start of the second period, most people thought that Frölunda would instead break the deadlock.

After just over a minute of play, Skellefteå’s Linus Lindström collided with Lasse Johansson. The referees signaled for a pending expulsion, whereupon Skellefteå goalkeeper Gustav Lindvall left his goal and went to the bench.

The problem, however, was that it was a pending Skellefteå expulsion. At the same time, Frölunda still had possession of the puck and the game thus continued towards the empty Skellefteå goal.

Inside the center zone, Frölunda’s Jayden Halbgewachs realized that the goal echoed empty and he took a shot and the vast majority had already scored a goal for Frölunda. But with a panther leap, Lindvall managed to get back in the count’s time to ward off the shot with his outstretched club.

– What a rescue! It’s among the sickest things you’ve seen on a hockey field, exclaimed TV4 Play commentator Johan Edlund.

Nilsson saved Frölunda

Lindvall’s save set the tone for the second period, which remained scoreless. The final act also looked like it would be, but in the absolute final minutes of the match, a redemptive lead goal would finally come.

With only 02:15 left in the match, Frölunda changed quickly. Finally, David Edstrom found his way to an onrushing Tom Nilsson. With a quick finish, Nilsson was then able to outwit Lindvall, who had to capitulate in the end.

In the closing minutes, Skellefteå did everything in their power to arrange extra time. But when the visitors lost the puck, team captain Max Friberg was able to score the definitive coup de grace when he made it 2-0 in an empty net with two seconds left in the game.

The goal was the last of the match and means that Frölunda is now in the semi-final series with 1-2 in matches. Thus, there is a chance to equalize the match series before the fourth match in Scandinavium on Friday.