Oskarshamn has fallen like a stone in the table in recent weeks, something that led to their seemingly safe playoff spot being in danger when SHL's last regular season round was played on Thursday night.
Then they finally delivered - even if it was hard inside.
Namely, they lost a reassuring 3-0 lead when Djurgården poked in two pucks at the end of the second period and were really forced to struggle for the victory.
But after a goalless final period, they managed to hold off and fix the club's first playoff spot of all time.
- I am incredibly incredibly proud of how this team has handled a very tough situation.
We play with a different speed today, it gets a little shaky when they make 3-2, but we keep it together really well and Tim (Juel) makes some big saves at the end, says Oskarshamn's coach Martin Filander to Cmore.
Now it's time to recharge before the round of 16 final against Leksand.
- I believe in this gang, we have shown incredible strength to and from during the season.
Now we come into the playoffs with everything to win, it is historic for us and we will make sure to continue to make everyone around the club proud, says Filander.
Frölunda ruined the day for the LHC
If the last playoff spot, it got all the tighter.
Linköping needed "only" a victory in the away meeting with Frölunda, but it is usually easier said than done, especially considering that Frölunda played to keep their home advantage in the quarter.
The score was 1-1 for a long time, but when Frölunda got a powerplay at the end of the third period, Ryan Lasch did as he usually does when Frölunda plays numerical superiority, played until a goal, and thus Linköping's playoff dreams seemed to be shattered.
Although they did everything they could to get a receipt, they did not succeed in that task.
- I am disappointed of course, it feels sad because we would have very much liked to continue playing.
The guys should be all honored that we made a real playoff push here the last few rounds, but it's hard to stand and talk about it being so fantastic, it's about winning and we do not, says Linköping's coach Klas Östman to Cmore .
The team captain decided
With the LHC's loss after regular time, Brynäs was on to the playoffs if they managed to beat Leksand.
The only problem for them was that they managed to lose a 4-0 lead.
With twelve seconds left to play regular time, Leksand's Marek Hrivik equalized in game six against four, his third goal of the evening.
Then Brynäs team captain Anton Rödin stepped forward when it was most needed and decided the meeting 58 seconds into overtime.
- It was a long change, but it's so damn nice that the puck goes in.
We knew there was a playoff spot in the pot so it was just to go in and drive, says Rödin to Cmore.
In the end, both Timrå and Djurgården lost their matches and thus the latter retained their home ground advantage in the Play Out series against Timrå.