Just over a year ago, HV71 left the SHL, after 35 years in Sweden's highest ice hockey league.

But the team kept many leading players, and has throughout the year been the favorite to take the step back immediately.

Already won three finals

And now they are.

But it became a giant thriller.

After scoring two quick goals in the second period (both in numerical superiority when veteran Daniel Rahimi was sent off), it seemed to work out in regular time.

But Björklöven did not give up.

First, with 8.44 left to play, reduced to 1-2.

In numerical superiority, Olle Liss put with a hard direct shot 1-2 from the left technical circle.

- It was such a good pass, so it was just to charge and get it on target, Liss says to C More.

Fitzgerald acknowledged

And just over five minutes later it was acknowledged.

Comebacking Charles David Beaudoin threw in a puck from the right wing, which Gerry Fitzgerald steered in with the skate, to the great delight of the home crowd.

Björklöven continued to dominate the game in the last minutes of the period, but there were no more goals - but extra time will decide the match.

- Strong of us to come back in third.

We had good pressure the whole period and bid on third after the equalizer.

Now it's important not to slow down, we'll probably take it, says Liss.

Late expulsion in period four

Björklöven started the extra time at a furious pace, and HV barely had to borrow the puck during the first five minutes of extra time, where it was, among other things, a rib hit.

But HV71 sorted out the press, and in the final minute of the period, Björklöven was sent off, which means that they can start the fifth period with one man less.

Fredrik Forsberg decided already after 44 seconds.

In numerical superiority, after an expulsion at the end of the fourth period, Forsberg struck from the right technical circle and scored his third goal of the evening - and pushed HV71 back to the SHL.

- I do not know what to say ... I am so damn happy now, says Forsberg, who was with when HV71 left the SHL last season, to C More.

- It's something you've dreamed of since you were little: Deciding finals, and scoring three goals too ... It's absolutely fantastic!

"Absolutely fantastic season"

Another who was happy was HV coach Tommy Samuelsson:

- I do not know if I managed another match.

It is an absolutely fantastic season, and we have gone through the playoffs in a good way.

It was the two best teams in the final, and such small margins.

The text is updated