Match report Lukko-Tappara

Lukko - Tappara 2 - 3 (1-1, 1-1, 0-1)

Today was the celebration match of Erik Hämäläinen. Especially for this occasion he played with number 865.

The opponent, Tappara, did not co-operate with Lukko and Hämäläinen to make the party complete. Tappara played as Lukko played last year, physical hockey, constantly chasing the opponent and keeping the space small. Lukko had difficulties with finding an opening.

After six minutes, Saarela found an opening in the Tappara defense. Lukko needed a power play for that. Pasi Saarela came free in front of Lehto and finished it, 1-0. The assists came from Jamie Wright and Antti Bruun.

Tappara continued their style of play and waited patiently for the chance to come. Three minutes after Lukko took the lead, Tappara scored 1-1. Janne Grönvall scored a power play goal, after holding from Markku Tähtinen 20 seconds earlier.

Lukko tried to create holes in the Tappara defense but the puck went around too slow. Lukko played reasonable at the boards, passing the puck around there but it never came in front of the goal.

The second period showed the same kind of play as the first one. Lukko tried, Tappara controlled. It was a tight and tensed match. The hockey was not good but the hard work and fights for every puck made this up.

Thirtheen minutes into the second period, Lukko took again a lead. Jarkko Kauvosaari scored 2-1 after a attack of Tappara was broken down. Yli-Junnila got the assist. Hardly one minute later, it was already 2-2. Janne Ojanen scored his third goal of the season. Tomas Kucharcik just received a penalty for holding. 8 seconds later, the puck was behind Langkow.

At the end of the period Jamie Wright and former Lukko player Quinn Hancock fought. Wright came out as the winner, hitting Hancock a few times in the face. Both players were send off with 25 minute roughing penalty be suspended Monday.

In the third period it was Tappara which controlled the match. Lukko had lost power now that Wright was sent off. Tappara managed to deal more easily with their loss. Seven minutes into the third period Tappara scored 2-3. Pauli Levokari was just sent off with a five minute major for spearing and a match penalty. Jaakko Hagelberg received a penalty for roughing two-and-half minutes later. Tappara took advantage of the 5-on-3 power play and Teemu Nurmi scored.

Lukko tried to force the equalizer but Tappara closed their defense. Lukko simply did not have the physical power to break through.

Monday is the re-match in Tampere. Toporowski is back after his suspension. Levokari will have to sit out one match. Their is also the possibility that Mäkelä will play again after his ankle injury.