Farjestad BK – Skellefteå AIK 23-03-2025

We are well underway in the SHL playoffs, a league we have followed since the first drop. Farjestad, who host Skellefteå at their home arena Løfbergs Arena in Karlstad, is one of the real favorites to take the bucket. We have been sure all season that the team that made it all the way to the final in the Champions Hockey League would be one of the few teams that could take this title.

The team only finished in 4th place this year, while Skellefteå came in 5th. On paper, two even teams. But we think we know better. Let's take a look.

Farjestad BK – The close matches are a challenge.

The team was clearly one of the big favorites to win the league championship. But the tough match schedule in terms of the league and Europe has clearly affected the team. The team suffered a clear downturn after the loss in the final of the Champions Hockey League.

It simply seemed as if the team was waiting for the playoffs to start. We saw signs that the team was changing gears in the last game before the break, when they beat Brynas 4-1. Since then, the team has been through a good training period, and the team seemed clearly fresher in the first playoff game against the same opponent. They didn't stop there until it was 6-2 on the scoreboard, in what was a game with 1 team on the field.

Especially the first row at Farjestad seemed hungry. They scored 4 of the 6 goals alone. Studenic with a hat trick was clearly the best player on the field. His best game since mid-February. This team seemed hungry for victory. We really believe that this team can quickly go all the way. Then the home games will be especially important. Because it means that you keep the upper hand, and can decide on home soil. For those who saw the game last time, you understand that you will get help in this one too. Because it was a bit of a mess. That could be the big difference. If you look at last year, Farjestad won the division, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. We don't think the team will do that this season.

Skellefteå AIK – The form team that lost form?

Where today's opponent needed a break to gather strength. We are sure that Skellefteå would wish that the break did not come when the other teams were to qualify for the playoffs. Because with the team being number 5 in the division, there was a break until the teams between 7-10th place would make up for the last places. The team was in great shape at the end of the season, and won all of their last 5 games. Definitely the team that looked the best.

But in the previous match against today's opponent, both the energy, the quality and the little extra, seemed to be completely absent. Simply a class difference. We therefore think, how much can 2 days make a difference in terms of differences. We think the team will have a tough time in this one too, and hope that they will find their momentum at home only in the next match. The shooting statistics were relatively even. But the quality in front of both goals was a marked advantage for the home team.

Conclusion – Momentum is everything.

Those of us who have followed hockey for a few years have seen it before. When teams gain momentum in the playoffs, it tends to continue. It was the same last year, when Røgle surprisingly beat Farjestad in 4 straight games. There is a lot of psychology in these games, and when you get the upper hand, it can easily follow one team the whole way.

We believe it can happen in these matches. The previous match was won so convincingly, that we think Farjestad has good self-confidence for this match. The opposite for Skellefteå. So we will have to try a bet at good odds.

Hockey at 15:00: Farestad BK – Skellefteå AIK: Farjestad wins (2.10)