Jukurit added more heat to the hot battle for playoff spots

Pekka Jormakka (center) receives congratulations after scoring Jukurie’s second goal. Elmeri Elo / AOP

It was also the case of Luko’s 79-year-old guardian, who is retiring Blacksmith “Blacksmith” To the charm celebratory match. Hurme’s 52-year career as a caretaker will come to an end after this season.

In honor of the charm, Luko’s players wore jerseys from different decades of the guardian legend’s career since the 1970s in the warm-up.

That was the end of the Rauma party.

After an even and even uneventful opening set, Jukurit grabbed the easy straw on which its playoff dreams rested.

Immediately in the first change of the second set, the Danish defender Oliver Larsen shot Jukurit into the lead from the blue, and in the middle of the set Pekka Jormakka stretched the visitors’ lead to two goals from a through drive.

Only in the third set did Lukko turn off the handbrake, and in 45.04 Otto Somppi hit a narrower from the puck that bounced up in the air.

Despite the hard crunch at the end, there was no equalizer, and Jukurie’s dream remained alive.

A thriller

Jukurit rose to 80 points and from 12th place to the last playoff spot, tenth. KooKoo and HPK have a point less, but they also have one more match left.

Getting to the playoffs is therefore not in Jukurie’s own hands, but it puts pressure on the competitors’ necks.

If it wins in its last game on Saturday in Oulu, Kärpät, KooKoo and HPK must take at least five points from their matches on Friday and Saturday.

The straw basket of the people of Mikkeli grew to the thickness of at least a two-year-old sapling.

On the other hand, Luko’s flight, which has been leading the series for a long time, has fallen so badly that even its third place may be at stake in Saturday’s final round in Kuopio.