Match report Lukko-HIFK

Lukko - HIFK 2 - 3 (0-1, 1-1, 0-1) Stats Photo gallery

HIFK were guests today in the Äijänsuon Arena. Most people had still the heroic play off matches of last season in their mind. A good and exciting was therefore expected.

After less than one minute of play, HIFK received its first penalty. It was a good moment for Lukko to already make a difference. Unfortunately it did not result into a goal. Lukko survived its first power play as it was doing already a few matches with good fore checking and always dangerous on the break away.
At 3.11, it was 0-1 out of the blue. Teemu Laakso shot from the blue line. It looked like an easy shot, not too hard, but Langkow was surprised by it and the puck fell behind him in the net. Lukko tried to push HIFK back to score a goal. Jamie Wright showed good skills but he was not lucky to score a goal.

In the second period Lukko was playing good ice hockey. HIFK was under pressure and Lukko knew that the goal had to come soon. At 23.23, it was Petri Lammassaari who scored his first SM-league in his career. The puck was intercepted by Yli-Torkko at the blue line from HIFK, played it Kauvosaari who kept overview. He passed the puck to Lammassaari and scored his first goal, 1-1. It was a well deserved goal because Lukko was playing good at that moment.
When the second period continued, Lukko looked to lose some control over the match. The passing became a little sloppy and the game play became more uptight. At the end of the period Petri Lammassaari received a penalty for tripping. Half a minute later, Pasi Saarinen had shot the puck behind Langkow for the second time. It was again as hot from the blue line. Yli-Junnila tried to block it, in which he failed, and the puck went into the uppercorner of the goal, 1-2 just before the intermission.

The third period was a continues of the second. Lukko could not get its game play together, passing was inaccurate and nervous. HIFK fell back and defended their lead. Lukko had not the accuracy to break the defence. HIFK goalie Tom Askey was also playing a good match and kept HIFK on the lead. At 51.50, HIFK scored the game winning goal. A bad pass from Toporowski was intercepted in the defensive zone by Arttu Luttinen. In two times he managed to beat Langkow, 1-3. Right after that Lukko scored 2-3. Lukko had build up play in the offensive zone. Wright received the pass from Hannus and fired a hard shot, which was too much for Askey. Lukko was back in the game, just 12 seconds after the 1-3.
Despite the renewed hope, Lukko could not get their game play together. At 56.46, HIFK received a penalty. Lukko played its power play with 4 forwards and 1 defender, as they did the whole game, but it could not help.
Lukko lost its first home match of the season against a tough opponent. It was not necessary to loose if Lukko just had finished more of their chances. But unfortunately that is not how it always works...

Try-out centre Ondrej Steiner played a reasonable match. It can be seen that he has experience and can read the play well. He lacks speed but covers it with good positioning. It also has to be kept in mind that he just came to team and needs to adjust to the playing style.

Tomorrow Lukko is playing against that other team from Helsinki, Jokerit. Jokerit had a terrible start of the season. Tonight they lost from SaiPa with 5-2. Hopefully Lukko can take advantage fo this.