The Finnish champions remain undefeated

Oulu Karpät, one of the best European hockey teams with skilled players such as Lasse Kukkonen or future NHL-star Jesse Puljujärvi on their roster, was the favourite to win the game and they proved so in the first period. The Finnish champion made lots of pressure and also had the first chance of the game when Julius Junttila hit the left post of Vienna Capitals’ goaltender Nathan Lawson. The Canadian net minder would not get much time to rest, as the shots kept coming. Simon Souranta was unable to score, but in the 8^th minute of the game Lawson was beaten on a slapshot by 23-year old defenceman Jani Hakanpaa

In the 10^th minute the Austrian fans could witness the talent of Jesse Puljujärvi, when the 17-year old, predicted to be a top-5 draft pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, undressed some Caps’s defenceman and was only stoppod by Lawson. Karpät, last season a CHL-semifinalist, kept dominating the game and stroke again in the 17^th minute with Saku Maekalanen, right after Vienna nearly scored the equalizer.

Jesse Puljujärvi tries to score on Nathan Lawson

The home team had to kill off a penalty right at the beginning of the 2^nd frame and successfully did so, gaining confidence and creating two big chances on their own. In the 23^rd minute Andreas Nödl delivered an excellent pass to Kurtis McLean, but Colorado Avalanche-prospect Sami Aittokallio was ready for the test. Only 30 seconds later the young Finnish net minder was tested again by McLean, who could not capitalize off Ferland’s great feed from behind the net.

Karpät did though not wait long for a response and was very close to their third goal of the game. In the 25^th minute Esa Pirnes hit the crossbar on a 2-on-1 situation. Nathan Lawson wanted to prove to be a very good successor of Matt Zaba and did so denying Juuso Ikkonen with an incredible sprawling pad save. Lawson again kept his team in the game, denying Hurricanes-prospect Sebastian Aho twice on the blocker side. Both teams had some opportunities in the 2^nd period, but the score would remain at 0 – 2 going into the final 20 minutes of play.

Also in the third period Vienna tried to come back, but the defending Finnish champions were simply the better team and played an almost perfect defensive game. The Caps’ defence could say a big ‘thank you’ to their goalkeeper, when he denied Miko Pyrorala with a strong pad save to keep the Austrians in the game.

The result would remain at 0:2 and Oulu could celebrate its second shutout-victory in the past 48 hours. It was also Oulu's third win against the Austrians in a row, as in the 2015 season the 'ermines' eliminated the Austrian vice-champion in the CHL playoffs. Still, the Capitals could leave the ice with heads held high, as they put up a good fight against the Liiga-champions.

Karpät will try to keep their shutout streak going on Thursday on home ice against Krefeld, whereas the Caps will face the Germans on Saturday.

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