An exotic opponent silenced the home fans for once.
Sebastian Repo was involved in all Luko’s goals. Elmeri Elo / All Over Press
Rauman Lukko won its first CHL game of the season when it faced the Belfast Giants, who traveled from Northern Ireland, in its home hall. The team that arrived from a small hockey country did not bow down in front of the pre-favorite, but first persevered through a scoreless opening set and finished the next one with a 1–0 goal that silenced the home fans.
The Giants Greg Printz ran the puck in from in front of Luko’s goal.
Lukko remained at a loss for four minutes, until the team’s number one power man Sebastian Repo shot to level the game with superiority.
The rest of the goals were left for the final set. Repo, who hit 2+1 during the evening, opened the winning goal by passing the puck to the back post of the Giants’ goal, where the new Canadian acquisition Brayden Burke (1+2) was waiting on the ice.
The setback did not discourage the guests from afar. The Giants won the shooting statistics 27-26, so the goalkeeper of the Romanians Daniel Lebedeff did not get himself an easy shift.
Repo completed the 3–1 goal in 59.47 and secured full points for Luko.
Despite the result, it was a great night for the Belfast team. At least the team got a lot of support from their group of fans who traveled with them.
This season, reigning champion Tappara, Pelicans and Ilves are among the Finnish teams playing in the CHL. Tappara and Ilves won their opening match on Thursday. Pelicans suffered a loss to Växjö. The trio’s games continue on Saturday.
Lukko will travel to Denmark on Sunday and face Aalborg.