Something had to give in the first game in Vasterbotten County, where Skelleftea had won their last six playoff matches, but they were up against a Rogle side that had won five straight playoff games on their travels.
These two teams were also creating a rematch of the 2024 final series, in which Skelleftea won the opening game 1-0, and history had a chance of repeating itself come the end of the first period, by which time the home side held a narrow advantage.
With more than double Rogle's shots on goal in the first 20 minutes, Skelleftea were good value for their lead, which they only took in the 19th minute, when a sustained period of attack resulted in Mikkel Aagaard laying the puck back for Rickard Hugg to hit with a quick shot.
But there would be no repeat of the first game result from two years ago, as a hooking call against Arvid Lundberg in the first minute of the second period undid all the home side's positive work - Calle Sjalin and Anton Bengtsson opened the defence on the powerplay for Leon Bristedt to score the equaliser.
From the midpoint of the period until its end, Rogle continually lost their discipline and, after conceding four penalties in nine minutes, were finally made to play by Skelleftea, as Oscar Lindberg's centre was deflected into the top corner by Oliver Okuliar with a minute of the period to play.
Rogle struck the crossbar in the third period, and having come agonisingly close to an equaliser, they conceded a crucial Skelleftea third in the final three minutes, as Par Lindholm won possession and scored unassisted.
Then, once the away side had removed the goaltender, Skelleftea ensured they scored in the 19th minute of all three periods, as Lindberg set up Victor Stjernborg to send the puck into the empty net and win the match 4-1.
Rogle will be hoping to hit back in game two on Saturday 23rd before the series heads south to Angelholm for game three.