A warming spring sun outside the arena, 5,438 spectators in the stands and two top teams on the ice - it was a playoff character at Saturday's SHL match in Växjö.
And the match itself, it became just as tight and exciting as a playoff match can often be.
Close to becoming speechless
The initial period was 14 seconds from remaining goalless.
Then Växjö's defender Hardy Häman Aktell stepped forward and scored, over Luleå goalkeeper Joel Lassinantti's right shoulder, into the afternoon's first goal.
- It sits incredibly well there, nice to go out from the first period with a lead, said Häman Aktell to C More.
Barely five minutes into the second period, Luleå's Radek Muzik was nicely released by teammate Pontus Själin.
Some quick skates and a cool finish from Muzik's side and the equalizer was a fact.
- A good second period from us.
We will continue to drum on, said Pontus Själin to C More.
Heat up
Towards the end of the second period, it started to heat up between the players after the blows.
Luleå started the third period in strong style and created a couple of good chances for a lead goal.
Växjö replied by putting a puck in goal, but the referees failed due to a club so high that the finish was more reminiscent of a smash in tennis than a shot in ice hockey.
The season's three previous meetings between the teams have all resulted in Luleå's victory with the odd goal.
It was just as even this time and again Luleå pulled the longest straw.
The decision came with seven seconds left to play.
Hill Oscar Engsund then emerged as the match winner, played by the team's points king Linus Omark.