Joakim Lindström was close to breaking the deadlock, but the star hit the post and it was aimless halfway into the match.

Then Jonathan Pudas sent 1-0 into the far corner. A few minutes later he loaded the gun in the powerplay and increased to 2-0. In between, Andreas Wingerli had invited the home crowd to a new frame meeting.

- It was a sleepy first period, especially from us, but really from both teams. Then we did some good exchanges in others and then the energy rose, said Pudas during the second period break.

"Must be merciless"

Linus Fröberg reduced on a goalkeeper return after 57.31, and HV71 picked out the goalkeeper in search of a receipt.

But the redness of Skellefteå held off and took the team's eighth straight victory.

- We had a lot of chances and I don't think we can produce that much more. But we have to be more merciless, says HV71's coach Stephan Lundh.

Pudas second best score

Jonathan Pudas is now the team's second best point picker this season with 34 points (13 + 21).

Gustaf Lindvall has guarded the box office in seven of Skellefteå's eight wins in a row. He saved 32 of 33 shots.

- "Gurra" played great at the right positions and was good when the team needed him, says coach Tommy Samuelsson.