Gävle, Sweden – Jakob Silfverberg’s dramatic overtime goal on Saturday night breathed life back into Brynäs IF’s Swedish Hockey League (SHL) playoff series against Växjö Lakers, reducing their deficit to 2-1. The veteran forward scored at 8:20 of the extra frame, securing a 3-2 victory for Brynäs in a game that saw a stunning late equalizer from Växjö force the contest beyond regulation.
The game marked a significant shift in momentum after Växjö dominated the first two matches of the best-of-seven quarterfinal series, outscoring Brynäs 18-6. Saturday’s contest was a far tighter affair, a testament to Brynäs’ resilience on home ice.
For much of the evening, it appeared Brynäs would finally break through. After a scoreless first two periods – despite a significant shot advantage for the home side (23-9 after 40 minutes) – Mattias Norlinder opened the scoring early in the third period. Lucas Elvenes responded for Växjö, leveling the score, but Brynäs quickly regained the lead through Bobby Trivigno. However, the drama wasn’t over. With just four seconds remaining in regulation, Reid Gardiner found the back of the net for Växjö, sending the game to overtime and silencing the home crowd.
The overtime period was tense, with both teams trading chances. Brynäs survived a penalty call for too many men on the ice, and then Silfverberg seized his opportunity. A feed from Kieffer Bellows found Silfverberg, who quickly released a shot past Adam Åhman in the Växjö net. “I was hoping for a pass,” Silfverberg told media after the game. “I was a little worried there for a moment. He (Bellows) held onto it for half a second too long, but he found me and I was able to get it off. It felt good. Essential win.”
The victory is particularly significant for Brynäs, who had lost six consecutive games dating back to the regular season. It also marks the first win of the playoffs for the team. The win also represents a debut victory for Brynäs goaltender Damian Clara, who earned the win in net.
Silfverberg’s goal was his second of the series, but undoubtedly the most crucial. The 35-year-old veteran has a long history of clutch performances, and this latest strike adds another chapter to his impressive career. He acknowledged the importance of the win, stating it was “rightfully earned” and that the team is focused on moving forward.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions for Brynäs fans. The late equalizer from Växjö was a crushing blow, but Silfverberg’s overtime winner sparked jubilant celebrations at the Gavle arena. The atmosphere was electric, and the win provides a much-needed boost of confidence for the team.
Lucas Elvenes extended his point streak to four games with the assist on Gardiner’s goal, while Växjö saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. Brynäs has now gone 14 straight home games without a loss in regulation time, showcasing their strength on home ice.
The series now shifts back to Gävle for Game 4 on Monday, March 30th, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM local time (1:00 PM EDT/17:00 UTC). Brynäs will look to build on this momentum and even the series, while Växjö will aim to regain control and move one win away from advancing to the semifinals.
This series is shaping up to be a classic, with both teams demonstrating their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. Silfverberg’s heroics have given Brynäs a lifeline, but Växjö remains a formidable opponent. The next game promises to be another thrilling encounter in this tightly contested SHL quarterfinal matchup.
Brynäs IF – Växjö Lakers
Kommande matcher
Brynäs – Växjö Monday, March 30th at 7:00 PM local time (1:00 PM EDT/17:00 UTC) (Quarterfinal Game 4)
