HV71 and Malmö Redhawks produced a game that steadily shifted from control to chaos, ending with Malmö taking a 5-4 overtime win in SHL action. The final scoreline tells the story of a matchup that was tight on the scoreboard but dramatic in its arc, with HV71 opening strong before Malmö clawed all the way back.
The match was played on Sept. 19, 2026, and finished after overtime. Based on the verified period breakdown, HV71 carried a 2-0 lead after the first period and still led 3-3 after two, before both teams traded goals in the third period and Malmö ultimately struck in overtime to complete the comeback.
How the Game Played Out
HV71 set the tone early and entered the first intermission with a 2-0 advantage. That opening period matters in any hockey game, but it mattered even more here because it gave HV71 the kind of cushion teams want when trying to control the pace of a matchup. At that stage, the game looked like it might be leaning in one direction, with HV71 holding the scoreboard edge and forcing Malmö to chase.
The second period changed the shape of the contest. Malmö responded with a 3-1 period to pull even at 3-3 by the end of 40 minutes. That was the decisive swing of regulation: HV71’s early lead disappeared, and the game became a dead-even battle heading into the final frame. The period-by-period line shows a team that was not willing to let the game slip away, and a home side that could no longer rely on its first-period margin.
The third period remained level at 1-1, which kept both teams locked at 4-4 when regulation ended. That kind of exchange is exactly what creates a compelling overtime finish. Neither side could separate itself in the final 20 minutes, and with the score tied, the game moved into bonus hockey.
Overtime belonged to Malmö. The Redhawks scored the lone overtime goal to secure the 5-4 victory, turning a game that had been tied through three periods into a comeback win. The sequence of the game is clear even without a play-by-play transcript: HV71 started fast, Malmö answered with a strong middle period, the third stayed even, and Malmö finished the job in extra time.
Because no transcript is available, there are no verified goal scorers, shot totals, or individual stats to add here. Still, the scoreline and period breakdown provide a complete picture of the flow: an early HV71 advantage, a sustained Malmö response, and an overtime finish that rewarded the side that kept pushing after the opening period.
What the Result Means
For Malmö Redhawks, this is the kind of result that can carry value beyond the two points. Winning after trailing by two early and then surviving a tied third period reflects resilience and composure. In the standings, an overtime road win against HV71 gives Malmö an important early-season lift and a confidence boost from a game they had to recover rather than simply manage.
For HV71, the lesson is less about the opening burst and more about the inability to close it out. A 2-0 first-period lead and a 3-3 tie after two periods put the game in a position where HV71 still had every chance to finish it in regulation. Instead, the game slipped into overtime and went the other way. That makes the result a missed opportunity, even in a close contest.
In a broader SHL context, this is exactly the kind of game that can matter in the aggregate. Overtime games are often defined by fine margins, and the difference between earning one point and two can add up over the season. Malmö gets the full reward here, while HV71 is left with the frustration of a lead that did not hold.
Watch the Highlights
The highlight package is the best way to see how quickly this game changed hands. With no transcript available, the video becomes the essential record of the comeback, the equalizer pressure, and the overtime finish that decided it.
Watch the full highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPs_kzn82Xc
Source: Highlightly match API
