It was a matter of class in the first final, where Skellefteå won the shot count 35–13. Rögle did not register a single shot on goal in the third period as the team tried to come back.
"We played okay today, but we have more to give. It's a step up compared to the last games against Luleå," says Lindholm.
Lindholm missed the last two games against Luleå due to suspension and only played one game in the quarterfinals against Malmö because of injury.
"It's been a busy schedule for me the last two months. You want to go out and drive; when you've been sitting in the stands there's nothing you want more than to play. It's terrible to sit on the sidelines," he says.
Chasing the fifth gold
The final match is a repeat of the 2024 SM final series, when Skellefteå won 4–1 in matches. The Västerbotten team is chasing its fifth SM gold in history while Rögle has never been Swedish champion.
It was also the home team that set the tone, and with only 1:10 left in the first period Rickard Hugg scored the opening goal and Skellefteå Kraft Arena erupted.
Hugg, second in the SHL's scoring race with 20 goals and 56 points, had not scored in the last seven playoff games and now had his second goal.
"I've been a bit down on myself and missed a lot of chances. Now I'm back in the shooting mentality."
Flash start
Rögle responded and started the second period on a high note. Home defenceman Arvid Lundberg was assessed a hooking penalty after 41 seconds and 13 seconds later the equalizer beat Linus Söderström.
Assisted by Leon Bristedt.
But somewhere along the line it ended for the visitors, who were sent off four times in the second period, and Skellefteå took advantage of the third. Late - just like in the first period.
With 1:11 left, Oliver Okuliar made it 2–1.
"Skellefteå is good today, but we are helping them a bit too much. If we're going to win a match up here, we have to be much more careful in all parts of our game. We are getting sent off too many times and that is because we are careless," says Rögle coach Dan Tangnes.
When Pär Lindholm scored to make it 3–1 after 17:14, the match was decided. At that time, Rögle's Karson Kuhlman had a shot that hit the crossbar just before.
Rögle came into the game without forwards Linus Sandin (personal reasons) and Dennis Everberg (presumed injury).
Match 1, 23/4: Skellefteå–Rögle 4–1.
Match 2, 25/4: Skellefteå–Rögle (3:15 p.m.).
Match 3, 28/4: Rögle–Skellefteå (7:00 p.m.).
Match 4, 30/4: Rögle–Skellefteå (7:00 p.m.).
Possible match 5, 2/5: Skellefteå–Rögle (3:15 p.m.).
Possible match 6, 4/5: Rögle–Skellefteå (7:00 p.m.).
Possible match 7, 6/5: Skellefteå–Rögle (7:00 p.m.).
