Match report Lukko-Ässät

Lukko - Ässät 0 - 1 (0-0, 0-1, 0-0) Stats

Again Lukko was not able to win from Ässät. The third derby ended in 1-0 win for Ässät. The match was characterised by a lot of penalties, given by guest referee Martin Reichert from Germany.

Already after 17 seconds the first penalty was given for Lukko. Ilkka Heikkinen received a penalty for hooking after Uusikartano came trough in the middle. The tone of the match was set. Ässät received its first penalty at 1.25. Peltonen was sent to the box for slashing. The match was more exciting than good, both teams were fighting for every puck.

Despite many penalties, both teams played very poor power plays. As well Ässät as Lukko did not manage to force a break through. Often the power plays were interrupted by another call for the other team. The advantage of one man more disappeared and 4-against-4 situations were more common than not. This was also partly to blame for Reichert, who called every minor foul and did not seem to understand that this was a derby.

Reichert made in the second period his biggest mistake after calling a penalty against Yli-Junnila for charging against goalie Juuso Riksman. It was obviously that Riksman was acting like he just got a bullet in his back. Reichert fell for it and gave Yli-Junnila a two plus ten penalty.

Because of all those penalties and interruptions in play, Lukko nor Ässät was able to perform on a constant level. Both teams had good chances but Langkow and Riksman had good days. From the side of Lukko a lack of luck was also one of the deciders. Ässät managed to take profit of a 5-on.3 penalty after 35 minutes. Lammassaari served a penlty for too many players on the ice, while Jamie Wright got called for a high sticking penalty half a minute later. Pasi Peltonen took profit of that and shot the puck in the upper corner behind Langkow at 35.46. Later it turned out to be the only goal of a thrilling match.

In the same period Lukko almost scored 1-1 after a scrimmage in front of the Ässät goal. It was unclear if the puck past the line. The Lukko players were sure of that because they were already celebrating. Reichert first wanted to make a video call, but after consultation with his lines man, he called of the goal.

In the third period less penalty were given. Lukko kept searching for the equalizer but it never came. Riksman was showing good form today and Lukko did not have the luck for that one goal. And so Lukko lost its fourth match in a row and the third loss against Ässät this season. Lukko got a total number of 12 penalties and 32 minutes, Ässät had 17 penalties and 50 minutes. And than Matt Nickerson was not even playing...

Sunday is Lukko playing in Espoo against Blues.