The season is over. Växjö Lakers defeated Skellefteå AIK in the fifth final game in the SHL. Now the Småland team gets to take home the statuette for the fourth time ever. Skellefteå AIK were under pressure before the fifth final round in this year’s SHL. A loss would mean gold for the Växjö Lakers. And so it became. But the Västerbottoms started strongly in the first period and the Växjö Lakers kept the tie largely thanks to goalkeeper Emil Larmi. The Finn made a huge save at the end of the first period, which remained scoreless. Leading goal in the final seconds That’s how it looked to be in the second period as well. But Växjö center Robert Rosén wanted something else. With six seconds left, he was able to put the puck in the goal after a delicious play by Martin Lundberg. The Smålänningar created several chances at the beginning of the third period and, among other things, burned a free position in the middle of the period. Skellefteå AIK went for a tie and had a lot of puck in the offensive zone – but the Lakers defense impressed. And when the clock was ticking at the end of the third period, Skellefteå had a hard time creating anything going forward. Växjö goalkeeper Larmi was responsible for another super save at the end of the last period. With three minutes left, Skellefteå changed the goalkeeper for an extra outfield player. Decided in an empty box But Växjö Lakers stood on the podium and could decide in an empty box. Even 3-0 would come before the referee blew the last game of the season. The Växjö team wins 4-1 in total meetings and with this takes home the club’s fourth ever gold. It is also their fourth gold in eight seasons. They won their first gold in 2015 and have since won in 2018 and 2021.
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