The air was filled with expectation ahead of the late afternoon final, but the party in Gävle barely got started before it was over.
The match was only just over a minute old when Pontus Andreasson was left standing alone in front of the Brynäs goal. 1–0 for Luleå also meant the tenth playoff goal from the hot Andreasson.
The 26-year-old, who is the top scorer in the entire playoffs so far, had more to come. After 6.40, Anton Levtchi set 2–0 for the visitors, beautifully set up by Pontus Andreasson in the match's first power play.
Serieettan Brynäs – without a home loss so far in the playoffs – performed surprisingly pale and needed half a period to even get a shot on goal against goalkeeper Matteus Ward.
And in the middle of the second period, the old truth was confirmed that you don't win any hockey matches in the penalty box.
Two quick goals
Linus Ölund was sent off for five minutes for a boarding on Pontus Andreasson, who was forced to leave the game for a while before returning.
Luleå took advantage of the numerical superiority. Linus Omark worked nicely when Brendan Shinnimin, the home crowd's hate object, set 3–0. Just 40 seconds later, Marcus Hardegård shot 4–0, whereupon Brynäs goalkeeper Emil Källgren was replaced by Frans Tuohimaa.
It's always important with special teams. It usually always comes down to small margins in these kinds of matches, so it's nice that it works, says Luleå's Marcus Hardegård.
Late forcing
Brynäs finally woke up, albeit a bit too late. Jakob Silfverberg reduced to 1–4 after 6.45 in the final period and also hit the post before Greg Scott set 2–4. Then there were barely ten minutes left.
The entire arena was on its feet and created a mighty noise when the hunt for more Brynäs goals continued.
But this was Luleå's match. The 5–2 goal, after a lucky deflection with just over six minutes left, definitely silenced the home crowd.
Brynäs coach Niklas Gällstedt was self-critical after the match, but highlights the energy in the final period.
I think we find things that we invest in in the third period, that's what we take with us. We show that we're not satisfied, he says to TV4.
Luleå now heads home to Norrbotten with 1–1 in matches and the wind in their backs. The team has two straight finals at home, on Wednesday and Saturday.
Final 1: Brynäs–Luleå 2–1 (after sudden death).
Final 2: Brynäs–Luleå 2–5.
Final 3, April 23: Luleå–Brynäs (20.00).
Final 4, April 26: Luleå–Brynäs (15.15).
Final 5, April 28: Brynäs–Luleå (20.00).
Ev final 6, May 1: Luleå–Brynäs (14.00).
Ev final 7, May 3: Brynäs–Luleå (15.15).
