Tappara rains on Lugano parade

Debutant HC Lugano and veteran Tappara Tampere cross the sticks in a key game for CHL Group C at the Resega, crowded by 5170 spaectators for the first ever home game of the club in CHL. Home side has a brilliant debut defeating Adler Mannheim in Germany, while on the same ice Tappara suffered a severe 1-4. For the Finnish team another defeat tonight complicate the qualification, for the Lugano a victory launches the team to the knock-out stage. Both teams have notable absences: defenders Clarence Kparghai and Philippe Furrer and forward Luca Fazzini for Lugano, Martin Bodak, Alexander Bonsaksen, Niko Tuhkanen Mika Heikkila and Anton Levtchi aren’t on ice at the Reserga. Daniel Manzato and Dominik Hrachovina are in the cages

After five minutes with not much to report, in the first powerplay Lugano opens the score: the shot from Linus Klasen is rebounded by goalie Hrachovina but Dario Bürgler is prompt to finish in the net.

Dario Bürgler scored 1-0 Lugano

After the goal, Lugano seems to control the game even to creating notable chances. Tappara, without key players tonight, had the clearest chance around minute 11, when captain Jakko Peltola hits the post with a precise shot. Finnish team played very well the following power play creating two chances, both rebounded by Manzato. Lugano closed the period pressing Tappara seeking unsuccessfully for a second goal before the break.

At minute 24 a great save by Manzato on Manu Honkanen, wisely served in front of the cage, opens the chances of second period. On the other side Zackrisson is bravely stopped by Hrachovina with the pad.  At 24:57 Tappara suddenly equalizes the score with a bit of luck: Manzato deflects the shot of Otso Rantakari but the puck rebounds on Chiesa skate finishing in the net.

The puck, deflected by Chiesa, is in the net for 1-1 Tappara

One minute after Bugler has a great chance in front of the cage but incredibly misses the net. Hrachovina deflects on Martensson in the continuation of same move. Two minutes later Julian Vauclair sees his powerful shot rebounded by Tappara goalie. At 33 Linus Klasen wastes a capital chance alone against Hrachovina shooting on the pad of goalie. In a controversial power play for Tappara, it’s Daniel Manzato to save his team with a couple of good saves.

One minute in the last period and Tappara takes the lead: Arttu Ilomaki finished a good move by the attackers with no chances for Manzato . Lugano feeling the pinch and isn’t able to organize a reaction, thus at 47:56 suffered the third goal, scored by Henrik Haapala. The double disadvantage melted down the home team, unable to react and risking several times to suffer a goal more: Haapala and Honkanen missed easy chances in the last two minutes.

Tappara secured a very important victory in a very balanced group, now with all teams with three points. In the next round, Lugano will be in Finland next Saturday trying to take back the points lost today

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