Dramatic SHL Action on December 26 Sees Luleå Win Derby, Leksand Rout Djurgården, HV71 Shock Örebro

The Swedish Hockey League delivered an intense round of matches on December 26, 2025, featuring standout performances and surprising results affecting league standings.

In a hard-fought derby, Luleå edged out Skellefteå in overtime after an amazing comeback. Trailing 0-1, Luleå turned the game around early in the second period to take a 2-1 lead. Skellefteå’s Oliver Okuliar scored with just 14 seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime. It was Luleå's Oskari Laaksonen who scored the decisive goal in OT, celebrating his return to the club saying, "It feels super good to be back, I love being here." Brendan Shinnimin nearly secured the win earlier but was denied by Skellefteå's Viktor Grahn.

Over in the Globen arena, Leksand dominated Djurgården 5-0. After Marcus Karlberg’s early goal and Peter Cehlarik's strike, Djurgården’s Charles Hudon, newly returned from North America, struggled to impact the game. Critics pointed to poor team decision-making and puck management. Leksand captain Lukas Vejdemo, a former Djurgården player, sealed the victory with two goals in the third period, marking Djurgården’s third consecutive defeat.

Meanwhile, HV71 stunned home favorites Örebro with a 7-4 victory. Struggling at the bottom of the standings and plagued by injuries, HV71 capitalized on Örebro’s defensive lapses. Analyst Hans Abrahamsson highlighted the match’s key turning points and surprising resilience from HV71 despite their position in the league table.

These thrilling matches on December 26 have implications for SHL playoff races and team morale heading into the new year.