Hovet, Stockholm – The intensity of a Swedish Hockey League playoff series reached a new level as MoDo Hockey secured their spot in the semifinals, defeating AIK 5-0 in Game 6 on Thursday. But the victory wasn’t simply about on-ice performance; it was a response to a series of psychological tactics employed by AIK and their supporters, tactics that MoDo forward Milton Gästrin and his teammates ultimately used as fuel.
The build-up to Game 6 was anything but conventional. AIK fans attempted to unsettle MoDo players, first with a pointed song choice as the team took to the ice – a track referencing alleged embellishment by MoDo players August Berg and Oscar Pettersson, who had recently been penalized for diving in the previous game. The atmosphere escalated with the apply of pyrotechnics within the arena. But according to Gästrin, these attempts at intimidation backfired.
“It’s a bit of a shame that things get like this, but we said, ‘now we’ll push even harder,’” Gästrin told hockeysverige.se after the decisive victory. “We used it as motivation.”
MoDo responded emphatically on the ice, scoring two goals in the first period and ultimately dominating the game with a 5-0 shutout. The win secured their place in the semifinals, a result that felt almost preordained given their performance throughout the series. Gästrin acknowledged the tight nature of the quarterfinal matchup, noting that some of their earlier victories in Örnsköldsvik might have been less deserved, while AIK had capitalized on opportunities when MoDo had controlled play.
“It was solid to be able to close it out today,” said the 18-year-old forward, who is expected to be a high pick in the 2025 NHL draft. He also acknowledged the passionate support of AIK’s fans, while highlighting the strong backing MoDo received from their own supporters, particularly during Game 3.
When asked directly about the song played as MoDo entered the ice, Gästrin offered a wry smile. “Not at all…,” he chuckled. “It’s a bit of fuel, of course. What we did wasn’t entirely right, but when they treat it that way, you push back a little. You have to remember there’s a person behind it all. It’s a shame things get to that point, but we said we’d push even harder and finish this series today.”
Disturbance Off the Ice: Fireworks Outside the Hotel
The attempts to disrupt MoDo didn’t conclude with the in-arena theatrics. In the middle of the night before Game 6, AIK supporters reportedly set off fireworks outside the hotel where the MoDo players were staying. However, the tactic proved ineffective. Gästrin revealed he barely noticed, sleeping soundly after the team’s bus journey.
“To be honest, I slept like a log last night. I was completely exhausted after the bus ride, but when I woke up, I saw on Twitter that they’d set off quite a bit. Lucky I could sleep,” he said.
The series against AIK, Gästrin believes, has been invaluable preparation for the challenges ahead in the playoffs. He praised AIK’s hard-fought hockey and acknowledged that the series provided a true test of playoff intensity. “I think it’s good for us to get into that,” he stated. “They’ve given us some really good games, and we haven’t had an straightforward path, but we’ve felt what playoff hockey is all about. I think that will be good for us.”
Milton Gästrin, a center currently playing for MoDo Hockey, was drafted 37th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He has also represented Sweden in international competitions, including the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championships (where he won a silver medal), and was selected for the 2026 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Source: Milton Gästrin @ Elite Prospects
MoDo’s victory over AIK marks a significant step in their playoff journey. The team will now turn their attention to the semifinals, carrying with them the momentum of a hard-fought quarterfinal series and a newfound resilience forged in the face of adversity. The next challenge awaits, and MoDo appears ready to meet it head-on.
What’s Next: MoDo will await the outcome of the remaining quarterfinal series to determine their semifinal opponent. Details regarding the schedule and start times will be announced by the league in the coming days.
What do you think about MoDo’s response to AIK’s tactics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
