A day I have been looking forward to for a long time. Now it's here and I think the team is doing a damn good job. It's going to be tight at the end, but I think we're fighting and holding it together all the way in, continues Pettersson.
Djurgården took the lead at a sold-out and boiling Hovet. But Skellefteå played themselves up and turned it around to 2–1 during the first period.
The second period was Djurgården's, who equalized to 2–2 and the score was even before the third period.
Quick goals
Then the home team struck with two quick goals. Valtteri Pulli gave Djurgården the lead early in the third, and just 19 seconds later Jesper Pettersson extended it to 4–2.
After the superb turnaround, the period was marked by interruptions and battles along the boards, which made it difficult for Skellefteå to get going and reduce. With an empty goal, Djurgården could instead make it 5–2, with Emilio Pettersen as the goal scorer.
With two minutes left to play, Skellefteå got their reduction to 3–5 through Lars Bryggman, and a minute later came the next one. Mikkel Aagaard made it with 80 seconds left to play 4–5 and the drama was a fact.
”Incredibly grateful”
But there was no time for an equalizer and Djurgården leaves its SHL return with a win.
I've always talked about getting to come back to Djurgården and it's not something I've taken for granted, so I'm incredibly grateful to get to represent Djurgården again, says Pettersson after the premiere win.
Last season, Skellefteå reached the SM semifinal where they were eliminated by Brynäs. Djurgården is back in SHL after three seasons in hockeyallsvenskan.
