Story Summary
Björklöven ended a 25-year wait for a home win in Sweden’s top division by defeating HV71 4-2 in Umeå. Robin Kovacs, Topi Niemelä, Joel Mustonen and Lukas Ekeståhl-Jonsson scored as the home side recovered from twice trailing in the first period before taking control in the second.
The result carried extra significance for Umeå hockey. Björklöven had won 4-3 at Umeå ishall on 15 February 2001 in front of 2,630 spectators, a result which had remained the last home victory at that level for 25 years. Björklöven’s supporters also celebrated their first home goal in 26 years when Kovacs struck on the power play.
Key Facts
- Björklöven defeated HV71 4-2, with period scores of 2-2, 2-0 and 0-0.
- Jan Mysak gave HV71 a 1-0 lead after just over four minutes.
- Robin Kovacs scored Björklöven’s first home goal in 26 years, equalising on the power play.
- Lukas Rousek restored HV71’s lead on the visitors’ first power play.
- Topi Niemelä’s shot was deflected into the net by Hugo Fransson to make it 2-2 before the first interval.
- Joel Mustonen put Björklöven ahead midway through the second period after an HV71 error.
- Nikola Pasic’s misplaced pass enabled Marcus Nilsson to set up Lukas Ekeståhl-Jonsson for the 4-2 goal.
- Björklöven won 4-3 at Umeå ishall on 15 February 2001 before 2,630 spectators, in what had been the last home win in Sweden’s top division for 25 years.
IHM Discussion
The game changed after a first period in which Björklöven had to chase the score twice. Kovacs’s power-play equaliser gave the home crowd the breakthrough it had waited so long to see, while the late first-period deflection from Fransson ensured the teams entered the second level at 2-2.
Björklöven then produced the decisive sequence in the middle frame. Mustonen’s goal put them in front, and Ekeståhl-Jonsson extended the margin after Pasic’s turnover. With the third period goalless, the two-goal advantage created in the second was enough to secure a landmark home result.
Why It Matters
This was more than a routine two points for Björklöven. The victory ended a lengthy home drought in Sweden’s top division and gave the Umeå crowd a first chance to celebrate both a home goal and a home win at that level in a generation. The manner of the result also mattered: Björklöven recovered from early setbacks, scored in different game situations and protected their lead through a scoreless final period.
Mini Q&A
What was the final score between Björklöven and HV71?
Björklöven won 4-2, after period scores of 2-2, 2-0 and 0-0.
Who scored Björklöven’s first home goal in 26 years?
Robin Kovacs scored the goal on the power play.
Who scored the winning goal for Björklöven?
Joel Mustonen put Björklöven ahead midway through the second period, before Lukas Ekeståhl-Jonsson made it 4-2.
IHM Final View
Björklöven’s 4-2 win over HV71 will be remembered for the history attached to it, but it was secured through clear moments within the match: two first-period responses, a strong second period and a shut-out final 20 minutes. For Umeå, the long wait for a home victory in the top division is over.