DIF - Malmö IF 2-1 (1-0, 1-0, 0-1) 1st: 1-0, Espen Knutsen (Patrik Erickson), 10.51 2nd: 2-0, Thomas Johansson (Niklas Falk, Mikael Magnusson), 5.32 3rd: 2-1, Roger Öhman (Robert Burakowsky, Peter Andersson), 12.44 Shots on goal: 17-23 Penalties: 4x2 - 5x2 Referee: Börje Johansson Attendance: 5013
Only 5013 spectators watched this game. Those who stayed home did the right thing.
Djurgården, in the middle of a down-period, had lots of possession in the two first periods, but they didn't manage to create much. Malmö, seemingly more interested in picking fights than picking the puck, spent a lot of time in the penalty box. Particularly ugly was Johan Sälle's slashing on the lying Jan Viktorsson, long after the referee had blown the whistle for the hooking from Sälle that brought Viktorsson down.
Jan Viktorsson was the best forward in DIF. He is no goalscorer, though, and the others seemed not interested in helping him (except for the youngster Markus Nilsson, who fought well but lacked ability). In spite of the inefficiency, DIF were in front after two periods. The second goal was scored on a slapshot from Thomas Johansson after the only glimpse of good power play in the match.
Christer Abrahamsson must have had something to tell his players in the second intermission, because in the third period Malmö suddenly started to attack. Djurgården's defence played not at all well, except for the mean Joakim Musakka and the keeper Thomas Östlund. Östlund had a great day, and it took Malmö more than twelve minutes to score their first.
Now Malmö were out for the equalizer. They had several chances, but strikingly often missed the goal from close range. With lots of skill, and with help from his post in the last minute, Thomas Östlund managed to keep the score at 2-1.
The referee, Börje Johansson, was as always very bad. At least three of DIF's penalties were obvious compensations. Because of this he didn't become very popular, which made him wash out for several obvious DIF penalties, for example a huge crosschecking from Markus Nilsson. Please, take Börje off the ice for good!
Game rating (1-5): 2
Best keeper: Thomas Östlund, DIF
Best defender: Joakim Musakka, DIF
Best forward: Jan Viktorsson, DIF