SHL Playoffs: Rogle continue superb run to take semi-final lead against Vaxjo

Rogle celebrate their fifth playoff win in a row
Rogle celebrate their fifth playoff win in a rowJonas Ljungdahl / Bildbyran Photo Agency / Profimedia

After coming from 3-0 down to win their best-of-seven quarter-final series 4-3 against Farjestad, Rogle have continued their impressive Swedish Hockey League (SHL) playoff form by coming from 3-0 down to win game one of their semi-final series away at Vaxjo, 5-3.

Skelleftea's win against Lulea in game one of the other semi-final needed seven periods to separate the sides, but only three were required at Vida Arena, although it took some time to separate the sides after a goalless first period in which Leon Bristedt was penalised for holding.

Vaxjo didn't make use of that powerplay, but they more than made up for it in the first half of the second period, which was just over a minute old when Brogan Rafferty's centre from wide on the right was deflected into the net by Erik Andersson.

Rafferty was the provider again six minutes later, jinking his way through the Rogle defence before laying on a simple finish for Eemeli Suomi. And right at the halfway mark, the Lakers were 3-0 up when Brian Cooper's powerful effort from the blue line flew straight in.

But if ever there was a period of two halves, it was this - Calvin de Haan fired the puck into a dangerous area for Lubos Horky to deflect into the net, then, de Haan and Bristedt combined to set up Daniel Zaar to make it 3-2 with still over four minutes left.

And the comeback was complete with 01:19 left in the six-goal period, as de Haan grabbed a third assist when his long pass was collected by Albin Sundsvik, whose shot was saved before the rebound was tucked home by Karson Kuhlman.

Rogle took all the momentum into the third period, and made full use of it seven minutes in when Anton Bengtsson carried the puck into the Vaxjo zone and ripped an effort into the top corner to stun the home crowd.

The match was settled in the final minute, when the home side lost possession with no goaltender at home, and Rogle worked the puck to Kuhlman, who scored his second of the game into the empty net to complete the 5-3 score line.

Vaxjo will be determined to stop the Rogle streak when they host again on Friday 10th April for game two.

Follow the SHL semi-finals on Flashscore.

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