The milestone took place at Ruddalen's ice rink in Gothenburg, where 28-year-old Hannah Pettersson stepped onto the ice as one of the assistant referees to Niclas Schultz, who bore the main responsibility for the evening.
This is the first time a woman gets the chance to referee a match in the men's elite series in bandy. For Pettersson, there was no hesitation when she was asked by the referee committee's chairman Pär Billsmon at the beginning of October.
"This is a confirmation of everything I've achieved. I've worked hard to get here, and this is a receipt that you get what you deserve", said Pettersson in a press release from the Swedish Bandy Association before the match.
Pettersson's first effort in the men's elite series became a one-sided story. Unbeaten Västerås set the tone directly from the start, and already after ten seconds of play, Pontus Vilén scored 1-0.
When the half-time was over, the visitors led 6-0 and the match was settled.
It ended 13-1 in the end – Christoffer Fagerström became the top scorer with three of VSK's goals – and Frillesås continues to struggle in the season opener. This was the team's third loss in as many matches.
