The people of Espoo beat TPS 7–1 in the opening match of the women’s ice hockey main series in Turku.
TPS had last season’s silver medalist and long-time series winner Kiekko-Espo on their home field in Turku. The people of Turku started strong when the 16-year-old Siiri Friedrissen scored the opening goal of the match in the eighth minute of the game.
However, Kiekko-Espoo dominated the match right from the first set. Espoo’s 1-1 equalizer was seen at the end of the set, when Emma Nuutinen succeeded Karoliina Rantamäki and Minttu Tuominen preliminary work.
In the second half, both teams had chances to score, but in the end the people from Espoo lost their money. The away team succeeded on a wide front and scored four goals before the break.
Kiekko-Espoo continued to control the match in the third period and increased its lead with two more goals. Defender Reetta Valkjärvi was responsible for the 6–1 hit, and the final score of 7–1 was completed by the experienced Tuominen.
– We played really well together. We started to skate and move the puck in the second period, we had a lot of good goal chances to score more, but the opponent’s goalkeeper was very alert.
Kiekko-Espoo starts the season as the biggest champion favorite, but according to Tuominen, the team is already familiar with the situation.
– We have been in that situation before. I’m happy to accept the pressure, if there is any.
The women’s ice hockey main series underwent a brand renewal for this season, which gave the series a new name, Auroraliiga. In addition, the match events, among other things, have been renewed, and the series is played in bigger arenas than before. The reform pleases Tuomis, who has played a long career.
– The new look of the series is really well done. Hopefully it will spawn new partners and a new-looking era for women’s hockey. Hopefully, we will get visibility to a bigger audience so that they will come and watch the hall. Now there is at least room to come on site.