Skellefteå AIK went on the road and earned a 2-1 victory over HC Košice. The three points earned are huge for the team from northern Sweden, who will remain in a top-16 spot heading into their last Regular Season game. As for the Slovak champs, their dreams of advancing have now come to an end, as they remain pointless through five games.

Skellefteå held a wide edge in play – particularly over the first two periods – outshooting Košice 30-19 in the game. Košice remained in the game largely due to the play of netminder Jaroslav Janus.

Skellefteå scored the lone goal of the first period at 5:36. With the visitors controlling play in the Košice zone, Martins Dzierkals sent the puck back to the point to defenceman Petter Granberg, who let go a high wrist shot through a crowd that Janus never saw.

Košice started the second period strong and tied the score early on. Off the rush, Michal Chovan found Mário Lunter, who beat David Rautio with a quick shot over the glove.

Ten minutes later, Skellefteå regained the lead from a rush of their own. Coming in 3-on-2, Dylan Sikura feathered a lovely saucer pass to Pär Lindholm, who slid the puck under a sliding Janus.

Through 40 minutes, Skellefteå outshot Košice 26-7 but the home team was still in the game. Over the last period, however, the tables turned a bit as Košice pressed for the equaliser.

They got some chances, particularly on their only two powerplays of the game. Rautio’s biggest save of the game came off a one-timer from Chase Berger with the man advantage, but the equaliser never came.