Lappeenranta Veiterä won his seventh Finnish Championship gold in front of almost three thousand spectators.
The Akilles of Porvoo, who won the Finnish championship in ice hockey in front of Veiterä in the previous two seasons, did not reach the “hat trick” on Saturday at the expense of the people of Lappeenranta. Veiterä won his seventh Finnish Championship gold by putting the Porvoo players 5–1 (3-1).
In hockey, the goalkeepers are currently being raised to an overly decisive role, but the Veiterä championship was decided almost alone by the team’s 25-year-old goalkeeper. Topi Peuhkuri.
– It happened to be almost my best or perhaps even the best game of all time, the goalkeeper Peuhkuri glowed after his third Finnish Championship gold.
– Everyone who was watching the game saw that Topi (goalkeeper Peuhkuri) was just magical, but the whole team was also excellent, just as it has been all season, the coach of Veiterä was happy. Tero Nieminen
At the start of the second half, Akilles had a great opportunity to turn the match around, as at worst, up to three Veiterä players were sitting on the ice at the same time.
– The overtime went through to remain a turtle and if we last it for ten minutes, the final will be taken with considerable certainty. One more goal was made in just under three, the Veiterä pilot glowed Tero Liimatainen from the 4-1 goal in the 55th minute
Captain Liimatainen finally finished the last three goals, becoming one of the greatest heroes.
– I’m pretty happy to play. We managed to create enough goals for the team, but Peuhkuri played a great match for the opponent’s goal, the coach of Akilles said. Jari Hyttinen.
The Finnish championship was Veiterä’s seventh. Peuhkuri, who played his main series debut ten years and one month ago, was already the club’s number one champion in the 2017 and 2018 championship seasons. How is this team different from previous gold teams?
– It is difficult to compare, but more gold was required of this young gang. We played open-mindedly, Peuhkuri said.
Veiterä was not on the field. When replacements were needed, side support Manu Puumalainen returned to the fields after several intermediate years and won his first Adult Championship gold at the age of 42.