Viljami Marjala shot TPS’s 3–2 winning goal into KalPa’s net in overtime. League leader Lukko was too tough for SaiPa in the top game.
21:02•Updated 21:34
Having lost their previous four games, TPS returned to winning ways and got their first win of the year by defeating KalPa Viljami Marjalan shooting with a 3–2 overtime goal in Turku. It was the third consecutive loss for the visitors.
KalPan Benjamin Korhonen at the end of the actual game time, licked the puck into the top pipe of the TPS. KalPa took the expected goal of the fight with exceptionally wild numbers 6.32–2.83.
– There was a lot of bickering with the goalkeeper and we got a lot of chances, but the result was really poor. Very poor result. Things need to be put in the right direction now, comments KalPa’s coach Petri Karjalainen.
Goalkeeper who stopped 35 shots Noa Vali19, was the man in his place between the posts of TPS, who conceded the most goals in the league, blocking, among other things, two drives from Kuopio in the opening set, in a goalless situation.
TPS’s powerful defender, leading the goal exchange of the back lines of the SM league Max Lindroth (2+1) was responsible for TPS’ goals. The hits were already the 16th and 17th of the season for the Swede. The 28-year-old Lindroth has scored 39 (17+22) power points in the 40 games he has played.
In the 3rd set, TPS’s abundant ice turned the tables on KalPa, when the 20th hit of the season Matyas Kantner and the captain Tuomas Kiiskinen roaring full hits with superior power in front of the goal. Kasper Simontaival (0+2) became the player with one hundred league points.
– The ice ate us today and we got into trouble because of that. We had a top goalkeeping game today, and Noa answered our calls today by being the number one hero of the evening – as well as Max with two goals, praised the TPS coach Tommi Miettinen.
Injuries and goal waiting
Miettinen sees the result going around TPS over the course of the season, even though the expected goal was now clearly on KalPa’s side.
The injuries that plagued the season right from the start have also hampered the results of the Turku team.
– At no point have we been on the move with a healthy team. At the moment, it’s a problem on the package side, says Miettinen, referring to those on sick leave in his speech Casimir Jürgens, to Oliver Lauridsen and Climb to Seväsen.
Miettinen reminds that there are many good elements in the TPS game.
– Looking at the statistics, we could be somewhere else with different rankings. Based on goal expectations, we should be in 6th or 7th place.
– However, a few things are statistically weak, and it has not enabled wins. However, our game has made it possible to win on many nights, defends the TPS pilot Matias Strozykin in the interview.
Seventh win in a row for Luka
Tomi Lämsän coached by Lukko had a good time at Kisapuisto and defeated the series leader SaiPa, who has a reputation as the toughest home team, with 4–1 goals.
– A difficult start, but we didn’t get paralyzed at any point. The third period was the hockey we have played at our best. We were smart and tough, and SaiPa didn’t have many situations. An uplifting evening, Lämsä rejoiced.
Two goals Patrick Khodorenko (2+1), Sebastian Repo and Karson Kuhlman finished the goals of the Romanians.
Defender Samuli Niinisaari scored the first league goal of his career at the age of 26 in his 41st league game. The wrist flip sank easily of John Lethemon in the opening set. In the future, the Yankee hammer did his job in style.
Lukko already claimed the seventh consecutive league victory. SaiPa has lost four of its last five games.
– Lukko is a high-quality team and that’s why they are winning their games now, he said Raimo Helminen.
Aces’ tame start cost the points
Ässät, who had won six of their previous eight games, had arrived in Oulu in their socks, and Kärpät practically solved the tie in just over ten minutes after taking a 3–0 lead and finally winning 5–2.
– Kärpät was really effective at the beginning, when instead we splattered the game at that stage. We didn’t quite get into the game. Kärpät has been doing engine repairs over the course of the season and it was visible today as well, pointed out the Ässät pilot Jarno Pikkarainen.
Kärppi’s great spot purchase, contract defender Marcus Björk collected 1+1 performances and increased his score to 14 (4+10) in the 13 league games he played. Ben Tardif completed two complete hits for the winner.
The Kärppie’s streak at home increased to six games.
– Stable and balanced game from us. We got (Niklas) Rubin’s move in front of the goal in the opening set, that was the intention, Kärpät coach Ville Mäntymaa stated.
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