Match report Lukko-TPS

Lukko - TPS 3 - 4 (2-0, 0-2, 1-1, 0-0, 0-1) Stats

It was the third time this season that Lukko and TPS played against each other. The first match was won by TPS after penalty shots, 2-1. Lukko won the second match with 5-2, just two weeks ago.

The first period Lukko was playing very good ice hockey. Passing was good and they also managed to keep it going around well. After 4 minutes Lukko got a penalty shot after a foul made at Tommi Hannus. Markku Tähtinen took the penalty shot but it was saved by Puurula. Lukko was not disrupted by this disappointment and continued their good play. After 7 minutes Shayne Toporowski rounded a well setted up attacked and scored 1-0. Saarela scored an assist for the first time in ages and also Tuomainen scored an assist after scoring no points for while.
Lukko played quality ice hockey. TPS could not get out so much and had difficulties with setting up a decent attack. Although Langkow had nine saves and Puurula only three, it was Lukko who was playing. Lukko extended their lead after 16 minutes. Tommi Hannus received a pass from Joni Yli-Torkko and tipped in the puck. The other assist was for Ilkka Heikkinen. It was a deserved goal.

The second period was completely turned around concerning when talking about the upper team. TPS came strong out of the locker room and played like Lukko did in the first period. Three minutes into period, Antti Hulkkone scored 2-1. Lukko could not get the puck away out of the defensive zone. The went via Kai Nurminen and Ville Vahalahti to Hulkkonen who scored throug the legs of Langkow. TPS kept on coming in the hunt for the equalizer. And it came. 15 minutes in the second period, Backman scored a power play goal just before it ended. It was a weird goal were Langkow seemed to have lost the puck. Lukko was playing this period really under their abilities.

The third period was a mix up of the first two. There were periods that Lukko had control and played good ice hockey. These periods were followed sloppy passing and inattentive ice hockey. In one of those stronger periods, just after the intermission, Lukko scored its third goal. During power play, Markku Paukkunen shot from the blue line and scored his second goal of the season. Assists were for Tommi Hannus and Teemu Normio.
After this goal TPS came again to look for the equalizer. Lukko managed still but it was sure that it did not end before the buzzer went for the end of the match. Lukko was simply playing too sloppy to secure the win already. After again a period of strong play from TPS, Kai Nurminen scored 3-3. A line change just took place. Defender Markku Kiprusoff passed the puck to Nurminen who let go a blistering shot and beat Langkow for the third time. The match went in overtime were both teams did not manage to score.

The first penalty shot was taken by Markku Tähtinen who again missed. Kai Nurminen showed how to do it and scored the winning goal for TPS.

This match was characterised by inconsistend play of Lukko. Good periods changed with bad period and this interval was too big. Also the shooting is a weak point which they should work on. Too many times players hold the puck too long and waste another chance.

Saturday is the last match before the Karjala Tournament. Lukko is playing in Kuopio against KalPa. The first home match is at November 17th against rivals Ässät.