News
16.3.2006 Lukko ends season with a win
Lukko has won its last match of the season. In match 56 play-off contenders Tappara were beaten 4-1 in the Äijänsuo Arena. Goals were scored by Topi Lehtonen, Shayne Toporowski, Ville-Vesa Vainiola and Markus Nordlund.
Lukko ends the season in 13th place with only KalPa leaving behind them. It was satisfying that the last three matches ended in a win.
Saturday is starting the first round (best-of-3) of the play-offs with SaiPa against TPS and Blues against JYP.
The A-juniors are playing tomorro there second match against JYP. The first match was lost with 4-0.
14.3.2006 A-juniors take on JYP in play-offs
Lukko A is playing tonight its first match in the semi-finals of the A-junior SM-league against JYP in Jyväskylä. Lukko surprisingly beat regular season-winners KalPa over five matches.
Because of the importance of these matches, Ville Vesa-Vainiola, Miikka Tuomainen, Markus Nordlund and Otto Honkaheimo will play just like against KalPa. The seniors are missing a complete line because of this. Last Saturday Lukko won against HPK in overtime with only two full lines. The third line had defender Topi Lehtonen as right wing forward. Despite this fact, Lukko was able to fight to a 2-1 victory in overtime by a goal of Petri Lammassaari.
Tonight against SaiPa Lukko is in the same situation as Saturday. Shayne Toporowski is still suspended.
2.3.2006 Ässät wins again
Lukko lost again against Ässät. In the sixth meeting of the season the rivals from Pori took the win, 2-0. Goals were scored by Kristian Kuusela and Marko Kivenmäki. Hot headed Ässät-player Matt Nickerson behaved himself this time.
A-juniors Jussi Tapio and Tomi Heinonen had a satisfying debute, playing in the fourth line with Ville-Vesa Vainiola.
27.2.2006 A-juniors in the play-offs
Lukko A-juniors have made it to the play-offs. The youngsters will play coming weekend against a still unknown opponent. Saturday is the first match (away). Sunday the A-juniors will be the hosts in Rauma at 15.00.
27.2.2006 SM-league continues
The SM-league continues tomorrow after a two week break due to the Olympics. Lukko will start with a home against rivals Ässät. This is already the sixth times this season that both teams are meeting up. All matches were won so far by Ässät.
Lukko has eight games left to save the season a little bit. The gap with Jokerit is 10 points and Jokerit has played one game more.
13.2.2006 Saarela to SC Bern
Pasi Saarela has moved to Swiss team SC Bern according to the Finnish channel Nelonen. The 32-year-old winger had a disappointing season so far at Lukko scoring eight goals and giving seven assists in 47 matches.
9.2.2006 Important win for Lukko
Lukko won the important home match against TPS yesterday with 3-1. Goals were scored by Shayne Toporowski, Petri Lammassaari and Tommi Hannus. Man of the Match was Shayne Toporowski. He lead the team with his fighting spirit to this important victory.
Lukko is playing tonight away against Ilves. Due to the win of yesterday a play off spot is still possible. A win against Ilves would be more than welcome.
9.2.2006 Jamie Wright to Switserland
Jamie Wright has left Lukko and will finish the season in Switserland. The winger was leading the points rank with 12 goals and 18 assists.
3.2.2006 Disappointing loss for Lukko
Lukko lost again. In Rauma, Jokerit won with 6-3. Jokerit took already a lead after 37 seconds. In the second period new signing Michal Straka scored the equaliser but soon after that Jokerit restored the lead, scoring two goals.
In the third period Jokerit took a 4-1 lead before Lukko came back to 4-3. Topi Lehtonen and Jaakko Hagelberg almost closed the gap before Saarela took a penalty. Jokerit scored 5-3 on the power play. The 6-3 was an empty net goal.
The gap between Jokerit and Lukko is now 9 points, with Jokerit having played three matches more.
2.2.2006 Straka ready to make debut for Lukko
Michal Straka will make his debut tonight for Lukko against Lukko. The Czech forward will start in the second line as a centre with Wright and Saarela on the wings. Straka will play with number 9.
Petri Lammassaari will be out with an injury. It is not known when he will return.
Lukko has to win tonight from Jokerit to get closer to the 10th place. Jokerit is currently 7 points ahead of Lukko with three matches more played.
2.2.2006 Again no goals against Ässät
For the third time this season Lukko was not able to score any goals against Ässät. For Ässät goals were scored by Mikko Rautee, Jesse Saarinen and Pasi Peltonen.
31.1.2006 Lukko sign Michal Straka
Just before the closing of the transfer market, Lukko has signed forward Michal Straka until the end of the season. The 34-year-old Czech will move to Lukko from HC Plzen in the Czech Extraliga. Straka has been mainly playing for HC Plzen troughout his career. He played 651 games, scoring 128 goals and giving 268 assists. Straka is 179 cm tall and weights 79 kg.
31.1.2006 Yli-Torkko to TPS
Joni Yli-Torkko will play for TPS until the end of the season. The winger scored this season 2 goals and 5 assists for Lukko.
27.1.2006 Kucharcik 4 weeks out, Salonen to Lukko
Tomas Kucharcik has sustained an injury in the match against TPS. Kucharcik will be out between 4 and 6 weeks. As a replacement, Lukko signed KalPa centre Sami Salonen. Salonen scored so far 5+9=14 points this season.
27.1.2006 Lukko looses important match
Lukko has lost the important match against TPS. Vladimir Sicak scored in overtime 3-4 and left Lukko with only point. In the first period Sami Ryhänen scored 1-1, after TPS took the lead. In the second period goals were scored by Jamie Wright and Petri Lammassaari. In the third period TPS scored the equaliser. Goalie Scott Langkow made 24 saves.
TPS ran out one point. Lukko is now six points behind.
26.1.2006 Important match tonight
The home match of tonight against TPS will be possible decider in the battle for a play-off spot. TPS is currently 10th with 52 points. Lukko is in 12th position with 47 points. A win for Lukko will decrease the gap between the two teams. If Lukko looses, the chances of making the play-offs are becoming smaller.
24.1.2006 Pelicans down in one period
Lukko took an important win against Pelicans. Three goals in the second period were enough to keep the three points in Rauma. Scott Langkow got his fourth shut-out this season. Goals were scored by Jamie Wright (Erik Hämäläinen, Shayne Toporowski), Tommi Hannus (Jamie Wright, Ilkka Heikkinen) and Shayne Toporowski.
21.1.2006 Lukko to take the points back to Rauma
Lukko won yesterday in Helsinki from Jokerit, 4-2. After the first period it was 0-0. In the second period, Tommi Hannus opened the score for Lukko with assists coming from Kucharcik and Wright. Less than a minute later Jokerit came already aside. Kivistö scored 1-1. Less than three minutes later Lukko took a lead by Pasi Saarela, 1-2. Midway through the period captain Erik Hämäläinen scored even 1-3.
In the third period Jokerit came back to 2-3. Sami Lepistä scored a power play goal. Four minutes before the end of the game, again Tommi Hannus secured the win for Lukko, 2-4. Scott Langkow made 29 saves this match. Tommi Hannus was Man of the Match.
20.1.2006 Bruun plays 300th match
Antti Bruun will play his 300th match tonight against Jokerit. Bruun played in the SM-league for Ilves, SaiPa and Lukko.
19.12.2005 Lukko gets two players
Lukko has signed two new players on trial. Lasse Korhonen and Sami Ryhänen will get the chance to prove themselfs at Lukko. Both players are playing in the Mestis (First division) for HC Salamat.
Lasse Korhonen is a 21-year-old defender (177 cm, 77 kg) from Helsinki. He scored this season already 8+24 points and is leading the +/- ranking in the Mestis. Korhonen played for Jokerit and Ilves in the youth teams before moving to Salamat last season.
Sami Ryhänen is a 25-year-old forward (177 cm, 78 kg) also born in Helsinki. He is leading the +/- ranking in the Mestis and scored already 10+24 points this season. Ryhänen played in the youth teams of HIFK and Blues. He also played for teams in France, Sweden and Norway.
7.12.2005 Tähtinen injured
Markku Tähtinen has a knee injury. The centre will be out for the last two games before the Chrsitmas break. He will back after Christmas when Lukko is playing against SaiPa on the 27th.
30.11.2005 Tomas Kucharcik arrived in Finland
New signing Tomas Kucharcik arrived today in Finland after having some delay in Switserland. He will go straight to Lappeenranta were he will play tomorrow against SaiPa. Kucharcik will play with #34.
Erik Hämäläinen will play tomorrow with #865. The SM-league has made an exception because of this memorable milestone. Saturday before the match against Tappara, Hämäläinen will be rewarded in front of the home crowd for his career.
29.11.2005 Hämäläinen equals Lehtonen
Erik Hämäläinen will equal tonight the record of former HIFK-player Pertti Lehtonen. The captain will play tonight his 864th SM-league match in his career. Thursday against SaiPa Hämäläinen will have the new record, if nothing will happen.
Tomas Kucharcik is not playing yet tonight. There are made some minor chances in the line-up. Markus Nordlund returned from his loan period at Hokki and will form a defensive pair with Otto Honkaheimo. The fourth line of Lukko is tonight marked as the 'youth-line', existing of youngesters Kauvosaari, Vainiola, Tuomainen, Honkaheimo and Nordlund.
28.11.2005 Tomas Kucharcik to Lukko
Centre Tomas Kucharcik will play the rest of the season for Lukko. The 34-year-old Czech played already before in Finland, for Ässät and HPK. In the season 2002-2003 he was the top goal scorer and top point scorer in the SM-league.
Kucharchik played this season for Ambri Piotta and Morges in Switserland. Lukko will try to get Kucharcik into the line-up for the match against HPK tomorrow but this is not sure yet. Lukko will continue its search on the player market.
Check the player page for more info or this link for more stats: http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=6134
22.11.2005 Match reports and match stats moved
The match reports and stats features have been moved. Reports and stats can now be accessed by going to the season program page and than click on the high lighted dates and period scores. During the coming days all the reports and stats will be moved to this page. Pages that are not moved yet will be still available at the current position. Later on the news page will be also revised. An announcement will be made at that time.
21.11.2005 Nordlund one week to Hokki
Markus Nordlund will play three matches for Hokki this week. The young defender will get there more playing minutes now that Otto Honkaheimo has returned from a loan to Hokki. Hokki will play this week against Sport, FPS and TuTo.
20.11.2005 A-juniors can win from Ässät
What the Lukko could not manage to do, went well for the A-juniors. Yesterday Lukko beat Ässät with 4-3 after overtime. Although it did not go easy, Lukko was playing better as Ässät. Due to some mistakes, Ässät were able to come back every time they came behind. Man of the Match was Ville-Vesa Vainiola, scoring 1+2. The overtime goal was scored at 61.14 by Jussi Tapio.
18.11.2005 Interview Jarmo Tolvanen published
The interview that was held with head coach Jarmo Tolvanen is now available on the site. Click here for the interview. Thanks to all the visitors who sent in questions. If you have more comments or questions, send an e-mail to fred@lukkofanit.net or go to discussion board by following the link on the front page.
17.11.2005 Line-up against Ässät
Lukko is playing today its first match after the autumn break. Opponent are rivals Ässät, for the third time this season. Coach Jarmo Tolvanen has turned around the line-up. The penguin line will start, with Lehtonen and Hämäläinen as the first line defense. The second line exists of younsters Tuomainen, Kauvosaari, Lammassaari, Nordlund and Vainiola as the extra attacker.
Lukko is looking for revanche for the first two matches, which both ended in loss. Tolvanen said that this were so far the worst matches that Lukko played. The match starts at 18.30 and will be lead by the German referee Martin Reichert.
16.11.2005 Germany referee Lukko-Ässät
The match between Lukko and Ässät will be lead by the German referee Martin Reichert. This exhange is part of the IIHF Referee Exchange Program (http://www.iihf.com/hockey/ECC/Referee_Exchange.htm).
14.11.2005 Finland win Karjala Tournament
Finland has won the Karjala Tournament. After a loss on Saturday against the Czech Republic with 6-2, Finland won yesteday from all time rivals Sweden with 2-1. It was a narrow escape for Finland after being under pressure for almost two periods. Frederik Norrena was Man of the Match for Finland. The goalie made a few excellent saves and more or less secured the win for Finland.
The Karjala Tournament is part of the Euro Hockey Tour. Finland is now third in this competition with six points.
11.11.2005 Finland wins first match
Finland has won its first match in the Karjala tournament against Russia after penalty shots, 3-2. Finland came behind 1-0 in the second period. In the third period Russia even took a 2-0 lead but Finland fought back and equalized. Two goals within two minutes brought the match into overtime. Tommi Kallio scored the penalty shot after Russia had missed their first three shots.
8.11.2005 Interview Jarmo Tolvanen
Next week I will have an interview with Jarmo Tolvanen, head coach of Lukko. If you have any questions for him, send them to fred@lukkofanit.net. Write your question(s) in an e-mail together with your name and where you are from. Questions can be send in until Monday November 15th, 21:00 (GMT+2, 9:00 pm).
5.11.2005 Last match before autumn break
Lukko is playing tonight its last match before the autumn break. Next week the Karjala Tournament is held in Finland. This tournament belongs to a group of four tournaments held in the Czech Republic, Sweden, Russia and Finland.
Lukko is playing its first match after the break at November 17th at home against rivlas Ässät.
5.11.2005 Changes in line-up
Jarmo Tolvanen has made changes in the line-up for the match against KalPa. The defense pairs has been rearranged and also the forwards have been swapping lines. The penguin line is again in their trusted third line. Saarela moved up again to first line in the hope that regains his form. Tuomainen, Kauvosaari and Lammassaari will fill up the fourth line, with Nordlund and Vainiola as extra defense man and forward.
4.11.2005 Snellman on try-out in Switserland
Ville Snellman is on try-out in Switserland at Fribourg Gotteron, which is playing the Nationalliga A. The winger is currently not playing for Lukko.
3.11.2005 Jokela and Honkaheimo to Hoki
Antti Jokela and Otto Honkaheimo will play a few matches for Hoki in the Mestis to get some playing time. Jokela is currently the back-up goalie of Lukko behind the so far untouchable Langkow. With the Karjala Tournament coming up next week, both players have to opportunity to stay match fit.
31.10.2005 Survey will be closed
The survey that was held will be closed tomorrow. Today is the last day to fill in the survey. The results will be announced shortly. Thanks to everybody who filled in the survey.
29.10.2005 Minor changes in line-up against Kärpät
Jarmo Tolvanen has made a few minor changes in the line-up. The first and second line remain unchanged. In the third line, Ilkka Heikkinen replaces Markus Nordlund, who is now 7th defense man. Otto Honkaheimo is not playing today. Ville-Vesa Vainiola will act as 13th forward.
27.10.2005 Line-up against Pelicans
Jarmo Tolvanen had to re-arrange his lines after Steiner left. Jarkko Kauvosaari has been promoted to second line centre, with Lammassaari and Wright on the wings. The penguin-line (Hagelberg, Yli-Junnila and Normio) are now in the fourt line. All lines are filled up, with no extra defense man of forward.
27.10.2005 New head coach for Pelicans
The opponent of Lukko tonight, Pelicans, have assigned a new head and assistent coach. Ilkka Kaarna and former NHL-goalie Pasi Nurminen will take over the job from Jami Kauppi and Hannu Järvenpää, who were fired yesterday.
At Pelicans is Ondrej Steiner now on try-out. Steiner played five matches for Lukko last week, scoring 2+1. He will play tonight against his former team.
27.10.2005 Lukko A-juniors defeated by Jokerit
The A-juniors have lost their home match yesterday against Jokerit with 4-1. Lukko started good, scoring after two minutes 1-0 by Aki Kangasmäki. Four minutes later Jokerit scored 1-1 and just before the end of the period, also the 1-2 was scored. The first period Lukko was better as Jokerit. Jokerit goalie Joonas Hallikainen had to make 20 saves. The second period Jokerit defended their lead and scored also 1-3. Lukko was inaccurate in the passing and were also a few times unlucky due to the good goalkeeping of Hallikainen. Six minutes before the end of the match, Jokerit decided the match and scored 1-4. Iiro Tarkki made 34 saves, Joonas Hallikainen had 47 saves. If only the finishing would be better, Lukko had a better chance of winning the game.
25.10.2005 Forum launched
The Rauman Lukko website in English has now a forum. The forum can be found from this link. To use this forum, registration is necessary. If something is not working, please send me an e-mail.
24.10.2005 Lehtonen to play 300th match
Defender Topi Lehtonen is playing Saturday against Kärpät his 300th match in his career.
24.10.2005 Steiner not staying at Lukko
Ondrej Steiner is not staying at Lukko. The 31-year-old centre had a 5 match try-out contract. He scored 2+1 points and 4 penalty minutes.
23.10.2005 Lukko A win and loose
Lukko A-juniors lost yesterday to HIFK with 11-3! Today Lukko played against SaiPa and won 8-3.
1.Period
02:40 1 - 0 PUUSTINEN Heikki (PUSSINEN Janne, VÄÄNÄNEN Ville)
07:38 1 - 1 VAINIOLA Ville-vesa (TAPIO Jussi)
12:41 1 - 2 TAMMINEN Eetu (HAVERINEN Erkki)
16:03 2 - 2 HINKKANEN Toni (REPONEN Arttu, LÖFMAN Anssi)
18:37 2 - 3 PP TAPIO Jussi (HATTUNEN Jarkko, VAINIOLA Ville-vesa)
19:58 2 - 4 PP TAPIO Jussi (VAINIOLA Ville-vesa, HATTUNEN Jarkko)
2.Period
22:43 2 - 5 SH PIIRAINEN Joni (JASU Juhani)
31:17 2 - 6 HATTUNEN Jarkko (VAINIOLA Ville-vesa)
38:06 3 - 6 KIVINIEMI Mikko (LÖFMAN Anssi, REPONEN Arttu)
38:15 3 - 7 TAPIO Jussi (VAINIOLA Ville-vesa)
3.Period
55:13 3 - 8 PP HAVERINEN Erkki (VIRTALA Marko)
22.10.2005 Levokari is playing
Pauli Levokari is playing tonight his first official match for Lukko. He will form a defensive pair with Markku Paukkunen. Petri Lammassaari will start in the first line with Steiner and Wright. Lammassaari performed well the last matches in the fourth line. Kauvosaari is today the extra attacker, Lehtonen is 7th defense man.
22.10.2005 Lukko A too strong for Pelicans A
Lukko A-juniors have won their match against Pelicans A yesterday with 6-4 (1-0, 3-2, 2-2). The match was played in Vierumäki. Lukko is playing here also today and tomorrow. Goals for Lukko were scored by Aki Kangasmäki (1-0), Jarkko Hattunen (2-2 PP, 3-2 SH), Juhani Jassu (4-2), Jussi Tapio (5-3) and Markus Nordlund (6-4, EM). Ville-Vesa Vainiola had three assists. Goalie Iiro Tarkki had 43 saves.
Lukko is playing today against HIFK and tomorrow against SaiPa.
22.10.2005 Extended season stats uploaded
There are now extended stats uploaded on the website. The stats show amongst others playing time and +/- raiting for the month September. Later on, the monthly stats of October and so will also be uploaded. Click on the link to go to the season stats page. In the near future also the playing time per match will be available.
18.10.2005 Line-up against JYP
Jarmo Tolvanen has made some minor changes in the line-up for the match against JYP. Shayne Toporowski has moved to the first line, Jamie Wright plays now in the second line. Ville-Vesa Vainiola is back as 13th forward. This means that Ville Snellman has lost his place in the squad. Tuomainen, Mäkelä and Porkka are all out due to injury.
17.10.2005 Matias Schantz leaves Lukko
Defender Matias Schantz did not get a contract to play for Lukko. Schantz was last week on try-out.
16.10.2005 Lukko A defeat against HPK
Lukko A lost its home match against HPK A today with 5-3 (1-1, 1-2, 1-2). Despite playing a little bit better, the talents could not manage to score more goals. Goalie Juha Toivonen of HPK was in good form today making some good saves. Lukko goalie Iiro Tarkki had a lesser day. Goals for Lukko were scored by Jussi Tapio, Jarkko Hattunen (shorthanded) and Tommi Heinonen.
16.10.2005 No changes in line-up
Coach Jarmo Tolvanen has made no changes in the line-up for the match against Jokerit today. Steiner is again first-line centre, Markus Nordlund is 7th defender. Vainiola will play also today with the A-juniors against HPK.
14.10.2005 Ondrej Steiner on try-out
Lukko has centre Ondrej Steiner on try-out. Steiner is currently playing in Czech for Vsetin HC. 31-year-old Steiner played in the seasons 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 already in Finland for Ässät and HPK. In Pori he was quite succesfull, scoring 16+33 points in 51 matches. Steiner will play 5 games on try-out.
Born: 11.2.1974, Plzen, Chech Republic
Weight: 90 kg
Height: 185 cm
Shoots: left
Steiner is going to be tested as a first or second line centre. More info can be found on the following link: http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=9596
13.10.2005 Jokela playing in Forssa
Lukko goalie Antti Jokela will play tonight in Forssa for FPS in the Mestis game against Salamat. The loan to FPS is only for one match.
13.10.2005 Lukko organizing "The Apprentice"
In November Lukko is organizing a re-make of "The Apprentice" in co-operation with the Satakunta Polytechnic. Two teams from the school are trying to sell as much tickects as possible for the home match of Lukko against JYP, at November 24th. The two teams can use the media sources Uusirauma, Länsi-Suomi, Radio Ramona and Ganal TV for free. The winning team gets a sky box during this match provided with drinks and food. Both teams exists of seven students.
Team "Eetu":
Arto Katainen
Jukka Siivonen
Jyrki Varjonen
Rauli Ritala
Samu Jaakkola
Sara Vatjunen
Maija Sinervaara
Team "Mölli":
Laura Kajander
Pekka Paukkonen
Jesse Aalto
Kalle Salo
Laura Lehtonen
Antti-Matti Kivelä
Johannes Haapala
11.10.2005 Matias Schantz on try-out
Lukko has from on toady defender Matias Schantz on try-out. Schantz (187 cm/87 kg) is 25-years-old and grew up at Jokerit. He played three season for Kiekko-Vantaa in the Mestis.
11.10.2005 Interview Shayne Toporowski
Today an interview with Shayne Toporowksi has been published. The interview can be found from here.
10.10.2005 Pauli Levokari signs with Lukko
Defender Pauli Levokari has signed a 1+1 year deal with Lukko. The big defender was already on try-out during the pre-season. During the Viking Cup in Turku he got injured to his face after getting a puck to his head. Lukko needed to strengthen its squad after the injuries of Porkka and Mäkelä. Mäkelä will be out for about two months, Porkka is out for the rest of the season.
Levokari (198 cm, 110 kg) is originally from Pori. He also played there last season. He is drafted by the Atlanta Tharshers in the 8th round (#257) in 2002.
10.10.2005 Lukko players in Potkuri
Shopping centre Potkuri in Old Rauma is celebrating its 1 year anniversary on Friday (14.10). Toporowski, Bruun, Langkow and Yli-Junnila will be there in the afternoon for a session. The program is as followed:
14:00-15:30 Toporowski, Bruun
15:30 Langkow, Yli-Junnila
10.10.2005 Mäkelä six weeks out
Hard hitting defender Tuukka Mäkelä will be out for six weeks due to a broken ankle.
8.10.2005 A-juniors win over Blues
Lukko A has won yesterday evening from Blues, 5 - 2 (1-1, 1-1, 3-0). In the third period Lukko decided the match with two goals from Petri Lammassaari and Mikko Saari. The goals in the first and second period were scored by Joni Piirainen en Marko Virtala. Iiro Tarkki had 25 saves and savings percentage of 92.59%.
6.10.2005 Yli-Torkko back, Tuomainen injured
Joni Yli-Torkko will play his first match this season for Lukko. He came back after a knee injury, which kept him aside for more than a month. Miikka Tuomainen is not playing tonight. He has a groin injury. It is not known when he returns.
3.10.2005 Lukko A take revenge
Lukko A-juniors haven taken revanche for their home loss against KalPa A from last week. Yesterday in Kuopio, Lukko won 3 - 1 (1-1, 0-0, 0-2). Goals were scored by Marko Virtala, Eetu Tamminen and Markus Nordlund (empty net). Goalie Iiro Tarkki had 29 saves. Coach Marko Keskinen said that the players had been fighting exemplary and played good penalty killing.
2.10.2005 Lukko A defeated by Kärpät A
Also the A-juniors did not manage to win in Oulu. Kärpät A was too strong for Lukko A, 3 - 1 (0-0, 2-0, 1-1). The goal for Lukko was scored by Jarkku Hattunen. Today the A-juniors are playing in Kuopio against KalPa A.