Match report Lukko-Ilves

Lukko - Ilves 2 - 1 (1-0, 0-0, 1-1) Stats Photo gallery

Joni Yli-Torkko is back! Yesterday he played his first match of the season and it looked like he had not been away so long. Starting in the fourth line, he tackled, checked and worked himself back in the way the Lukko fans are used to. Later on in the match he moved up the second line, replacing there Ville Snellman who had again a disappointing match.

Lukko played a good first period keeping Ilves away from their goal by aggressive fore checking. Ilves, with oldies Lumme and Helminen in the team, had difficulites to get out but also showed talent and physical strength. The good start of Lukko was temporarely disrupted by a penalty for Yli-Junnila. The special teams of Lukko played an excellent penalty killing and did not give Ilves a chance to get too close to Scott Langkow, who was playing his best match of the season so far.
After eight minutes Ilves received two penalties within 12 seconds. The following power play was a prey for Lukko. At 8.57, Jamie Wright scored his second goal of the season. He transformed a shot from Pasi Saarela into a goal, 1-0. The other assist was given to Tommi Hannus. After the first goal, Lukko controlled the match with excellent defending and Scott Langkow. Markku Tähtinen received at the end of the period two penalties from Jari Levonen, who was leading the match poorly.

The second period showed an interesting spectacle, without any goals. Lukko started again aggressive, resulting in some chances but Pitkämäki showed good from. Levonen gave again two childisch penalties for Lukko, to again Yli-Junnila and Saarela. The match became more physical but Lukko defended excellent, as well as Ilves. Scott Langkow noted 19 saves and kept Lukko a few times in the game.

The third period it was Ilves who had taken over control. It looked like they copied the Lukko tactics, by constant fore checking and aggressive tackling. Jari Levonen got the Lukko crowed against him after not seeing some obvious penalties from Ilves side. After Kauvosaari served a penalty for tripping, it was Ilves talent Perttu Lindgren who finally beat Scott Langkow. After the goal Ilves fell back a little bit and Lukko showed character by putting up pressure again. Midway the period, Lukko got the second 5-on-3-power play. This time no goals were scored, although they were very close. As the battling became harder, it looked like the match was going to go to ovetime. But three minutes before they, it was "Topo time". Lukko broke out, a shot from Antti Bruun went over the goal after being re-directed. Bouncing back from the boarding it was Shayne Toporowski who scored the rebound and the game winning goal.
At 58.30, Ilves called a time-out and pulled Pitkämäki. It became one-and-half critical minutes. At 59.08, Yli-Torkko got called for boarding. It was 6-on-4 and Ilves almost scored the equalizer. But the save from Scott Langkow, who could just get the puck over the goal, kept the lead for Lukko, 2-1.

A well deserved win for Lukko. Scott Langkow, defense and special teams were outstanding today. Lukko fought for its victory and showed character, which got them through the game. It also becomes more and more clear where Jarmo Tolvanen wants to go with his playing style. Also this match fore checking proved to be an effective playing style to disrupt the opponent in building up play. It is also a playing style which requires topmost concentration and good stamina.

Saturday is the home match against Blues. The match starts at 17:00.