Frölunda had a 3-1 lead from the away match against Ingolstadt, and tightened their grip on the semi-final spot when Filip Cederqvist scored 1-0 on Tuesday evening.
But the Germans didn't give up, turned it around to 2-1 before the second period was over and rocked an exciting finish in Scandinavium.
The visitors' Austen Keating was a hair's breadth away from taking the game to overtime, when the puck danced on the goal line behind Lars Johansson in the Frölunda goal during the final period. But it didn't happen. Frölunda held on, Max Lindholm tied it 2–2 when Ingolstadt took out the goalie, and advanced with a total of 5–3. Now Brynäs awaits in an all-Swedish CHL semi-final.
Earlier in the evening, Brynäs and Luleå had secured promotion through away wins in Finland. Brynäs beat Kalpa 3–2 – Mattias Norlinder scored two goals – and advanced with a convincing 8–3 win. Luleå defeated Ilves 3–0 (6–2 on aggregate).
The semi-finals will be played on January 13–14, with the return legs on January 20–21.
