Nicklas Bäckström Scores First SHL Goal Since Return, Leading Brynäs to Victory

Nicklas Bäckström marked a significant milestone by scoring his first Swedish Hockey League (SHL) goal since rejoining Brynäs after an 18-year absence. The goal came with just one minute left in the first period during a match against Färjestad, giving Brynäs an early 1-0 lead. This was Bäckström’s first SHL goal in 6,795 days, a span covering nine games since his return. Brynäs went on to win the match 2-1, with Axel Andersson scoring the decisive goal after Färjestad equalized.

Bäckström expressed relief and satisfaction following the long-awaited goal, telling TV4, "It was actually quite nice," and reflected on the pressure players feel to score, highlighting the importance of perseverance. His goal came from capitalizing on a defensive error by Färjestad's Adam Ollas Mattsson.

Despite the loss, Färjestad captain Linus Johansson voiced strong dissatisfaction with his team's performance. He described their play, especially the first period, as "under all criticism" and "worthless," expressing frustration over the team's body language and lack of execution. Färjestad has now suffered two consecutive defeats and stands eighth in the SHL standings, just two points ahead of Brynäs.

This victory marks Brynäs' second consecutive win, signaling a positive turnaround after a challenging start to the season. Bäckström’s goal not only broke his personal scoring drought but also proved crucial in boosting Brynäs’ momentum in the league.