He could not continue playing. We'll have to come back to it, says Färjestad coach Tomas Mitell, according to Nya Wermlands-Tidningen, about the prognosis for Lagacé.
It was with around five minutes left of the first period that the Canadian goalkeeper got a hit to the head. This after Skellefteå's Frans Haara pushed home back Axel Bergqvist into Max Lagacé.
A hit that ultimately prevented Lagacé from continuing to play. When the second period was about to start in Värmland, it was instead Anders Lindbäck who guarded Färjestad's goal. Experienced Lindbäck, who got fired from Brynäs (then in HockeyAllsvenskan) over a year ago, was recruited in a month ago.
In that situation, Färjestad led 3–1.
Already after 20 seconds, Marian Studenic scored the leading goal – after 54 seconds, Jonathan Johnson equalized for Skellefteå.
After 2.56, Färjestad's defender Magnus Nygren scored 2–1, and then Joel Kellman could extend to 3–1.
When Marian Studenic scored 4–1 at the start of the second act, it looked decisive. And it was. Even though Andreas Johnson could reduce before the period break, Färjestad could win the first quarterfinal with 6–2, which was gritty most of the match.
The last two goals came in an empty net when Skellefteå pulled out the goalkeeper in pursuit of a reduction. One of the goals was scored by Studenic, who thereby responded with a hat-trick.
The next match on Sunday will also be played in Karlstad.
