All Finnish teams have now opened their CHL contracts.
TPS’s Teemu Kivihalme dazzled in the CHL opening. Jaakko Stenroos / AOP
The Ice Hockey Champions League CHL started with the preliminary series games for the Finnish teams. In the evening round, TPS beat the Slovenian HK Olimpija with numbers 3–2. Last season’s sensational league team Jukurit lost to Luulaja by 2-5.
TPS scored three goals in the second period of the match. The toughest power man was a defender who moved back from North America Teemu Kivihalme, who scored two goals. Last spring’s playoff figure last spring was responsible for the third hit Mikael Wipes.
Olli Jokinen piloted by Jukurit, they were after the SHL’s silver team from the very first minutes. About Finnish players from Lulea Julius Honka hit powers 1+1. Juhani Tyrväinen grabbed one assist.
In Mikkeli, the home team’s scorers were Niklas Peltomäki and Pekka Jormakka. In the match, Jukurit lost shots by as many as 20–45.
On Thursday, the league’s Tampere clubs played their own CHL openings. Tappara beat Slovan Bratislava 5–2. Ilves lost to the Swiss team Friborg 2-3.