It was an all-Swedish battle in the Champions Hockey League Quarter-Finals, but Skellefteå AIK came up on top against Frölunda Gothenburg in the First Game clash between the two SHL heavyweights in the Skellefteå Kraft Arena on Tuesday evening.
The team in black and yellow scored the sole goal of the game when Skellefteå forward Andreas Wingerli caught a breakaway but was taken down on the way to the net, proceeded by a Frölunda player who careered into the netminder, along with the puck.
After video review, a goal was called as the hosts earned a one-goal aggregate goal lead ahead of next week's Return Game.
They played and hit hardSkellefteå AIK's Andreas Wingerli
"I think we played a really solid game at home," started Andreas Wingerli, the author of the goal, "we had solid chances and could have scored even more if it wasn't for the solid goaltending on their side."
"But we are happy for the one goal we are taking with us for next Tuesday," he added.
Skellefteå, who have previously made it to the Semi-Finals in the CHL, have been one of the strongest teams of the season so far, having now won eight games in a row.
But this game could have easily turned out differently: "They played hard today, they were tough on the ice and hit hard," said Wingerli, "we caught their play well, but sometimes they caught us out with their play and created some good chances."
"Overall we are happy - we beat them with quick passes and rushes on the net and we are happy for the one goal lead."
Skellefteå and Frölunda will play their Return Game next week on Tuesday, 13 December at 19:05 CET.