Luleå leave it late in Champion Hockey League semi-final

As expected, the first period started out as a physichal battle between these two great northern rivals. Early on in the opening stanza the momentum swung from team to team but it was Luleå who struck first. With only a few minutes played, and with the games first real chance, Lars Bryggman registered his first goal of the inaugural CHL tournament. Lulea force a fine save from Svensson in the Skellefteå goal but unfortunately for the home side the puck rebounded to Bryggman, who slotted it home from the bottom of the face-off circle. 

After the opening goal momentum shifted towards Skellefteå and the reigning SHL champions went on the game's first powerplay after Forsberg was called for tripping on Petersson. Lulea killed the penalty off brilliantly - applying a high amount of pressure and shutting down Skellefteå's passing lanes which limited the home side's chances.

Like a pendulum the momentum swung back to Luleå, and it stayed that way for the remainder of the first period as they penned the home side in their own end for periods of time. The visitors almost doubled their lead as Nagander played a imaginative pass above everyone's heads which offered Wallmark a one on one with Svensson. Wallmark was unable to control the bobbling puck and the excellent goal scoring opportunity was denied by the Skellefteå goaltender as he went for the 5 hole. There was a bit of deliberation as to wether the puck had crossed the line once the netminder had hold of the puck but after a couple of looks by the referees the ruling on the ice stood. 

Svensson had a strong opening period has he repeatedly took away Luleå's scoring chances. First denying Näkyvä after some excellent passing in the Skellefteå zone. Then, after a defence splitting pass gave Petrell an excellent scoring opportunity, the netminder did well to hold onto the puck. 

Early on in the second period Abbott played a beautiful pass through the legs of a Skellefteå defenceman to Cehlarik. Unfortunately the play couldn't be rewarded with the goal that it deserved. 

Both teams exchanged penalties. The first powerplay of the period going to Luleå with the only goal scoring chance falling to Daniel Zaar who managed to deliver a shot from the edge of the face-off circle which was denied by an in form Svensson. As soon as that penalty was over it was Skellefteå who would go on a powerplay as Fabricius was called for hooking. Luleå's penalty-kill did a fabulous job closing down the Skellefteå players, giving them very little time on the puck. Rob Schremp came the closest for the hosts but was denied by the goal post. 

Luleå won themselves another powerplay as, once again, Lindgren, was sent to the penalty box, this time for boarding. The home side were happy to sit back and close down Luleå's shooting lanes. 0-2 for Luleå's powerplay.

Only five minutes remained in the second period when Skellefteå finally equalised.  Schremp was once again involved in the build up, as he had been for the majority of the game. He played the puck to Lindholm who fired it home all the way from the blue line for his second Champions Hockey League goal.

The final period began with both Lulea's Cam Abbott & Skellefteå's Martin Sevc sitting in the penalty box for roughing after the 2 got into a scrum as the second period came to a close. Resulting in 4 on 4 hockey for the first 2 minutes of the third period. 

Two minutes later Luleå were behind for the first time this evening, and it'll be a goal that they'd soon rather forget. Zackrisson fired a shot all the way from the point and instead of hitting the gaol, the puck hit one of Luleå's own players and bounced in past Joel Lassinantti in net.

Lassinantti and the Luleå defence was then put under more pressure as Skellefteå looked to build on their go-ahead goal. Eventually the Luleå goaltender denied Lindgren of an excellent opportunity to freeze play.

Once again the game's momentum seemed to swing back to the home team. Chance after chance went by as Skellefteå desperatly tried to extend their lead. A beautiful bit of passing, which involved near enough all the SAIK players on the ice, lead to a chance but the finishing wasn't up to the same standard as the build up play. 

Five minutes of the third period remaining and Luleå find themselves on a 5 v 3 powerplay as Sundqvist and Lundberg were sent to the penalty box for delay of game and tripping, respectively. Luleå were paitent with their build up play, knocking the puck about looking for an opening. But Svensson and the Skellefteå penalty killing team did a fantastic job as Lulea were unable to capitalise on the 2 man advantage.

But with just over a minute left of the game to play Martin Sevc let his emotions get the better of him and once again Sevc was penalized for roughing, this time he was ejected from game with a game misconduct. Rob Schremp, who had had a brilliant game up until this point, was also consigned to the penalty box for roughing. So it was 5 on 3 hockey once and this time around Luleå were able to capitalize on their 2 man advantage. With less than a minute of the clock winning the subsequent face off was crucial for both teams. Luleå came out with the puck, laying it on to Kristain Näkyvä who rocketed the puck into the net from the blue line.

The two SHL sides will meet again for the second leg next Tuesday.

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