KalPa Kuopio and Fribourg-Gotteron each scored once in the first 60 minutes of this Round of 16 series, setting the stage for a big one next week. Read more in Gamecentre.

by Steven Ellis

The Round of 16 series between Fribourg-Gotteron and KalPa Kuopio started with a tie-game on Tuesday, making next Tuesday’s contest vital for both teams in Champions Hockey League play.

Fribourg-Gotteron had very little problems in the games leading up to Tuesday’s contest, but with KalPa Kuopio facing tougher competition along the way and playing well in the process, the Finnish team looked to be the favourites coming in on home ice.

The first period proved that. Despite no score at either end, KalPa easily led the shot advantage 13-6 in the first period. Former World Junior star goalie Denis Godla had to make some big saves on the chances he had, but Dennis Saikkonen’s hard work for Fribourg was a major reason why the game stayed scoreless after 20 minutes of play. 

Despite Gotteron having more offensive chances in the second, it would be KalPa would open the scoring. At 37:53 on the power play, KalPa’s top scorer, Jesse Mankinen, tipped in a pass from Juuso Riikola at the doorstep and beat Saikkonen at the doorstep to make it 1-0 for the visiting team.

With 4:34 left in the game, Fribourg-Gotteron scored an important goal to tie the game up at one. Yannick Rathgeb was looking for someone in front to receive his pass, finding Julien Springer in a perfect spot at the right post. Sprunger had no issue with the puck, shoveling it over Godla and in for the 1-1 goal when it mattered most. 

“We know they’re a very good team. They play fast, they play hungry and they’re well-coached,” said Fribourg head coach Larry Huras. “Being tied heading into game two is a good thing.”

With no overtime in the round, the two teams finished the contest with a tie game that will make next week’s match even more important, with the next goal taking the series. The team that scores the most in game two will be the team that moves on to the round-of-eight later in the year, with dreams of making it to the CHL Final looming on the horizon.