Liiga - HPK keeps winning streak alive

When Joonas Vihko scored the game-winning goal yesterday for HPK against Vaasa with only 12 seconds left in the game it did not just decide an exciting match that provided a long highlight reel, it also extended Hämeenlinna’s winning streak to 4 games and 6 wins out of the last 7 games, only losing to Ilves in between. The relief was huge as well as Vaasa put up a big fight. Marek Viedensky put HPK ahead one minute into the second period when he converted a rebound from a Zach Hamill shot, but Damien Fleury fired back with a straight shot from the slot a few minutes away from the second intermission.

The last period started with some discussions as Vaasa had scored with another blast from the blue line, but it had been deflected by a high stick so the goal was disallowed in the end. Shortly after, Juhani Jasu re-established the lead for HPK converting another Zach Hamill feed. But when HPK fans started to enjoy the feeling of yet another win already, it was Erik Riska, who managed to get the second equalizer just 4 minutes away from the final horn. It was then left to Joonas Vihko to secure the 3-2 win over the last placed Vaasa team.

In the last 7 games HPK was led by Joonas Vihko, Marek Viedensky and most important Jesse Saarinen, who had a night without points yesterday after 6 games in which he collected 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists). HPK is now in 4^th place and by that still 3 places ahead of the other 4 game winning streak team Tappara.

Tappara’s key to its late success has a name: Juha Metsola. On Friday against Kärpät he stopped 38 shots in order to get his 3rd shutout in 4 games. This made it easy for Pekka Jormakka and Kristian Kuusela to secure the win with 2 goals. The only one, who could score against Metsola on the last 134 shots he faced was SaiPa’s Janne Tavi in Tuesday’s clash, but this was not enough to beat Tappara as Olli Palola managed to even up the game and Jukka Peltola scored the game-winning penalty. Last week Metsola already blanked Pori and Lahti to give his team 11 points out of 4 games and climbing in the standings into 7^th place now after a start which was everything but successful.

During the next week Tappara will have to defend its streak in Vaasa, while HPK hosts SaiPa.

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