Liiga - SaiPa wins dramatic Game 7

Lukko Rauma – Espoo Blues 3-1 (Playoff 4-3)

The first period turned out to be as close as the whole series was. Erik Riska could score first for Lukko, but 3 minutes later Eetu Pöysti tied the game again. In the second period both teams started to fire some more shots on goal with Matt Generous being the only player converting one into a goal. Lukko was ahead and had to play defense now. And indeed goalie Ryan Zapolski did not surrended to another Blues shot. Instead Ville Vahalahti managed to add one more goal for Lukko. Lukko Rauma will now play against Tappara in the Semi Finals, while Espoo has to hope for next season.

SaiPa Lappeenranta – JYP Jyväskylä 6-4 (Playoff 4-3)

The fact alone that JYP had to travel to Lappeenranta tonight was a huge success for them after a 0-3 series deficit. But they managed to come back and tonight they wanted to win it all. When Yohann Auvitu scored after 7 minutes it really looked good for JYP. Even David Spina’s equalizer at the 15:12 mark could not get them off track as Max Wärn and Petr Hubacek established a 3-1 lead just 2 minutes apart in the early second period. But you should never celebrate too early. Still in the second period SaiPa could completely turn the game around within only 2:27 minutes through Jesse Mankinen, Ville Hämäläinen and Per Savilahti-Nagander. 4-3 after two periods. How would JYP come back now? Actually quite successful. Yohann Auvitu tied the game again with 12 minutes left in the game. Should this whole long series finally come down to one overtime goal? The minutes ticked down until the 58:05 mark, when again Savilahti-Nagander let the arena explode. Of course JYP pulled the goalie now and it did not work out. Ville Koho got the empty netter and sent his team to the Semi Finals. For JYP being here was a success, however it is quite bitter to make this long way back and then lose it in the second last minute. SaiPa will play Kärpät in the Semis.

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