Jokerit earns first win at Spengler Cup

Gameday three of the Spengler Cup showcased last night's losing team from Helsinki against HC Lugano. At the beginning of the match both teams neutralized the opponents game but with 2 minutes left in the starting period Helsinki's Brandon Kozun's 118 km/h slapshot put his team on the boards a first time this afternoon.

The middle period provided over half a dozen of reasons why this tournament is the most popular invitational Club competitions. But let's start from the beginning. Lugano came out of the changing room charging from the start when Ryan Glenn slammed the puck into the right corner with a minute played. Only two minutes later Lugano's Lorenz Kienzle gave his team the first lead in this game but the Luganesi could only hold on it for moments when Tim Kennedy from the short angle scored the equalizer in the 24th minute. Both teams gave themselves a few minutes to rest and reassemble. 32 minutes were played when Jokerit's forward Roope Talaja put the Finns ahead with a nice solo. Two goals by Lugano's Damien Brunner (37') and Linus Klasen (38') first equalized, than put the Ticinesi ahead with a 4-3 lead before both teams took the second break.

Coach Doug Shedden replaced his temp-goalie Mark Owuya with Elvis Merzlinkins but the young Latvian goalie couldn't stop Philip Larsen who scored with just 27 seconds played. Todd Daine was benched in the 42nd minute for Kneeing but Lugano couldn't capitalize on the powerplay. Up to now, there only had been 3 minor penalties none of them leading to a goal. Arthurs Kulda in the 46th minute regained Jokerit's lead in this game. Jesper Jensen for Cross-Checking Steve Hirschi, Brandon Kozun and Clarence Kpargai for Roughing were each benched two minutes after a short brawl but Lugano's powerplay fell short in this game. 6 minutes to go and Helsinki was on the attack when Jormakka gave a pass to Ville Lajunen who scored from the short right corner and beat Merzlikins above his pads. The Finns now tried to score the 7th goal of the game which would have meant the group win and automatic semi-final qualification. Erkka Westerlund took his time-out, instructing his players for the final seconds of the game. Jokerit's goalie left his goal with a minute to go but none of Helsinki's chances came to fruition which meant that Lugano will have a break tomorrow while Helsinki play the third ranked team from the other group.

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