Coach Daniel Hermansson, who made his debut season in the SHL, is more than willing to pay tribute to the star forward who, after winning the regular-season scoring title, also led the playoffs with 14 points (5 goals + 9 assists).
What a hockey player and character. He has done the work to earn this success. He comes to the ice rink every day and develops both himself and the team. He has had a great season and helped us in every way and in all aspects of the game, says Hermansson.
The 34-year-old forward star prefers to talk about the team that defeated Rögle 4–1 in the final:
A group that wants to get better all the time and there is never a sense of satisfaction. We find ways to improve and push each other. It is a fantastic group and the guys who have come in have been incredible.
The best Skellefteå team you've played for?
Yes, it could be this or 2013.
“Never focused on”
Oscar Lindberg had a goal and an assist in the fifth final. He was named the winner of the Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy as the playoffs' most valuable player, and was recently named the regular season MVP and Forward of the Year.
"I've just focused on my game and helping the team as best I can. Of course, when you score points, things like that (the awards) come with it, but that's never something I've focused on," he says.
It was a roller coaster ride in the fifth final for both the home team and the gold-hungry supporters.
Not even ten minutes had been played when Rögle – who did everything to crash the party – led 2–0.
Showed the class
Then the home team showed their class.
A two-man advantage was needed at the end of the first period – and voila, the score was 2–2.
Oscar Lindberg scored the first and assisted on the second, which Mikkel Aagaard scored on a rebound with only three seconds left in the period.
"We weren't ready at all from the start, people were terrified by how we looked in the first 5-10 minutes," says Lindberg.
But from 0–2, Skellefteå scored five straight goals and then it was over.
Coach Hermansson, who came from Mora for the season, won gold in his first season.
"It's cool. I'm lucky to be in this club with this team. We've had a great team that has driven it all the way, and we can play all types of hockey. I'm really proud of the guys," says Hermansson.
2026: Skellefteå.
2025: Luleå.
2024: Skellefteå.
2023: Växjö.
2022: Färjestad.
2021: Växjö.
2020: no playoffs due to the pandemic.
2019: Frölunda.
2018: Växjö.
2017: HV71.
