Club Friendly· Season 2026
Linköping HC beat AIK 4-1 in a pre-season friendly at Saab Arena, with 19-year-old Loke Krantz scoring twice and Mikko Kokkonen adding a brace. Oliver Johansson scored for AIK.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
AIK struck first. Oliver Johansson — a former Linköping forward — opened the scoring after a powerful solo rush from Daniel Ljungman, who carried the puck the length of the ice and fed Johansson in the slot to beat Marcus Högberg (1–0, AIK).
Linköping responded before the first intermission. Jakub Vrána set up 19-year-old Loke Krantz, who fired past Victor Brattström to level the game at 1–1.
The second period belonged entirely to the home side. Krantz struck again on the powerplay, burying a rebound for his second of the afternoon to give LHC a 2–1 lead. Just over a minute later, David Bernhardt's point shot produced another rebound, and Mikko Kokkonen — who failed to score in 44 SHL appearances last season — was on hand to tuck it home for 3–1.
AIK pushed for a comeback in the third period, pulling Brattström for an extra attacker in the closing minutes, but Kokkonen sealed the result with an empty-net goal to make it 4–1.
The Turning Point
Krantz's powerplay goal early in the second period flipped the game decisively. AIK had held firm after the 1–1 equaliser, but the 19-year-old's rebound finish on the man advantage gave Linköping a lead they never surrendered. Within 65 seconds, Kokkonen had made it 3–1, and AIK's foothold in the contest was gone.
Key Performers
Loke Krantz (Linköping) — 2 goals. The JVM gold medallist has now scored three times in his last two pre-season appearances, emerging as LHC's most dangerous forward in the build-up to the SHL season.
Mikko Kokkonen (Linköping) — 2 goals. The Finnish defenceman scored as many goals in 60 minutes as he managed in 44 SHL games last season (0), highlighting the free-flowing nature of pre-season hockey.
Oliver Johansson (AIK) — 1 goal. The former LHC forward scored against his old club and was AIK's most threatening attacker on the day.
Player of the Match: Loke Krantz (Linköping HC)
By the Numbers — Interpreted
The provider payload confirms a 4–1 final scoreline (P1: 1–1, P2: 2–0, P3: 1–0). The second-period swing — two goals in 65 seconds — effectively decided the match. Linköping's powerplay conversion on Krantz's second goal was the critical special-teams moment; AIK were unable to respond with the man advantage when they had opportunities.
What It Means
Linköping (SHL) secured their first win of pre-season after opening losses to Färjestad BK (2–0 on 13 August) and Finnish side Kiekko-Espoo. The result at Saab Arena — part of the club's LHC-dagen family day — provides momentum ahead of their next friendly against Södertälje SK on Thursday 28 August.
For AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan), this was their first pre-season defeat following an opening win over Vita Hästen on 19 August. They face Almtuna IS on Wednesday 26 August before continuing a seven-match pre-season schedule that concludes against BIK Karlskoga on 9 September. AIK's HockeyAllsvenskan season begins shortly thereafter.
Verdict
Linköping's turnaround after two defeats owed much to the energy and finishing of 19-year-old Krantz, who looks ready to push for significant SHL ice time this season. For AIK, the early lead and competitive first period offered encouragement, but the defensive structure unravelled in the middle frame and will need tightening before the Allsvenskan campaign begins.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 23 Aug 2026