Story Summary
Nikolas Brouillard criticised a boarding incident during Djurgården’s 5-1 victory over Linköping, calling the play “really dangerous” after he was checked near the boards.
The Djurgården defenceman said he had his back to the opposing player and was pushed while still some distance from the boards. The sequence was reviewed for a possible major penalty, but the officials announced two minutes for boarding, with the penalties offset.
Brouillard remained in the game and said he expected to be fine, although his back was hurting afterwards. Linköping’s assistant captain declined to offer a detailed view of the incident, saying he trusted the officials to make the correct decision.
Key Facts
- Nikolas Brouillard described the check as “really dangerous” after viewing it again on the arena screen.
- Brouillard said his back was turned when he was pushed towards the boards and that the contact hurt his back.
- The incident was reviewed for a possible major penalty before two minutes for boarding was announced; the penalties were offset.
- Djurgården beat Linköping 5-1, having trailed 1-0 after the first period before winning the next two periods 2-0 and 3-0.
- Sebastian Hartmann scored twice for Djurgården, while Joe Snively, Lukas Vejdemo and Jesper Pettersson also scored. Fredrik Karlström scored Linköping’s goal.
IHM Discussion
The key point from Brouillard’s response is not merely dissatisfaction with a minor penalty. He identified the combination that can make board play hazardous: a player facing away from the checker, moving towards the boards and receiving contact from behind while still away from them.
The officials reviewed the play before settling on a minor boarding call, while Brouillard’s ability to continue clearly formed part of the post-game discussion. He nevertheless said the contact was painful and argued that a player should not have to remain down for the risk of a play to be recognised.
Linköping’s assistant captain took a different public approach, leaving the disciplinary judgement with the officials. That does not resolve Brouillard’s concern, but it underlines that the on-ice ruling stood after video review.
Why It Matters
Boarding decisions carry particular significance because the danger can depend on a player’s body position and distance from the boards, not simply the force of the collision. Brouillard’s account puts the focus on player protection in those split-second situations.
For Djurgården, the immediate hockey outcome was emphatic. The side recovered from a first-period deficit to score five unanswered goals, with Hartmann’s two-goal performance leading a broad scoring contribution.
Mini Q&A
What did Nikolas Brouillard say about the incident?
Brouillard said the check was “really dangerous”, explaining that his back was turned and that he was pushed towards the boards. He said his back hurt afterwards but that he expected to be okay.
What was the penalty decision?
After a video review for a possible major penalty, the officials announced two minutes for boarding, with the penalties offset.
How did Djurgården beat Linköping?
Djurgården won 5-1 after trailing 1-0 at the first intermission. Sebastian Hartmann scored twice, with Joe Snively, Lukas Vejdemo and Jesper Pettersson also on target.
Coach Mark Comment
A player skating towards the boards with his back turned is in a vulnerable posture. The coaching priority is for the approaching player to recognise that position early, reduce the risk of contact from behind and avoid turning an ordinary defensive pressure play into a dangerous collision.
IHM Final View
Djurgården took the result convincingly, overturning a 1-0 first-period deficit for a 5-1 win. Yet Brouillard’s comments ensured that the boarding call, and the question of how such plays are judged, remained a central part of the aftermath.