Lahti and Turku complete quarterfinals
The Lahti Pelicans defeated KalPa Kuopio in game 3 of the Finnish pre-playoffs to advance to the quarterfinals. On sunday TPS Turku already kicked out Vaasa.
TPS Turku (7) vs Vaasan Sport (10) 2-0
(4-2, 5-2)
The series between the two teams from
the west coast was done in two days. On saturday TPS won its home
game with 4-2. Ilkka Pikkarainen scored twice including the first and
last goal of the game. In between Charles Bertrand and Teemu Tallberg
could equalize two times, but in the end TPS could always pull away
again.
On sunday Vaasa's Tero Koskiranta could
give the home crowd a glimpse of hope with his go ahead goals after
3:41 minutes, but then TPS scored 5 goals, which Vaasa could not match
anymore. TPS will face up with the reigning champion Oulun Kärpät
in the quarterfinals.
KalPa Kuopio (8) vs Lahti Pelicans (9)
1-2 (3-2, 1-4, 1-2)
Things started off well for KalPa on
saturday afternoon. Despite blowing an early 2-0 lead, established by
Joni Nikko and Janne Keränen, in the final minute of regulation,
they still scored the overtime winner through Sebastian Lauritzen
5:01 minutes into extra time.
But on sunday in Lahti the Pelicans
came back. Juha Leimu scored twice in the first period and before
Lauritzen could break Janne Juvonen's shutout, Stefan Lassen and Nico
Manelius had already provided the necessary goals for a 4-1 win to
tie the series.
So the final game had to be played
tonight in Kuopio again. After 19:05 minutes it was Mikael Ruohomaa,
who scored first for KalPa. But in the second period Kuopio's destiny
turned against them. Again Juha Leimu on the powerplay and Ryan
Potulny secured the 2-1 road win for Lahti. The Pelicans will have to
travel to Helsinki now as they play HIFK in the quarterfinals.