Lulea Hockey got three-point performances from Niklas Fogstrom and Kristian Nakyva en route to a 5–2 win over Lukko Rauma. The three-goal cushion puts them in good shape headed home.

Lukko Rauma 2–5 Lulea Hockey

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by Luke Fisher, quotes from Miro Perhe

RAUMA – Lulea Hockey will go into the second leg of their Champions Hockey League tie against Lukko Rauma in a strong position on home ice, having beaten the Finnish club by a three-goal margin. They were led offensively by forward Niklas Fogstrom and defenceman Kristian Nakyva, who each chipped in a goal and two assists while Lennart Petrell added two assists. 

"We played very tough game defensively," Petrell explained afterward. "Lukko got couple of scoring chances in the first period, but we had the game under control. Of course, the first period could have ended in favour of either team. It was important that we got success and some self-confidence. We've struggled with scoring and today it worked."

Lulea went down a goal down inside the opening 10 minutes, but struck back with three of their own before the first period was out to lead 3–1 after 20 minutes in Rauma. It got worse for the home side just past the halfway mark of the second period, with the visitors adding a fourth before Filip Riska pulled the score back to 4–2. That was how things stayed until the final period, but less than two minutes was all it took for Chris Abbott to restore Lulea's three goal lead, and saw them take a 5–2 win back home with them to Sweden.

"Today we were greeted by a very fast-skating, puck-moving team," said Lukko head coach Risto Dufva. "Lulea were good, but the difference in play wasn't as big as the score indicates, but we have to accept that and move on. They were so successful today because we made a lot of mistakes."

"For us, this is an important victory because in our league we've now lost six games in a row," said Lulea coach Joakim Fagervall. "We won with good defence and goaltending, we won the battles in our own end. The back-checking was good and the forechecking was good.  I'm satisfied with the game and the effort from the guys."

The two sides did meet in the group stage, with each team winning on home ice – however, given the dominant display by Lulea tonight they will go into the second leg as strong favourites. Lukko will have to overcome the three goal deficit, and the memory of losing 3–1 in Sweden earlier in the CHL campaign. One plus for the Lukko will be the knowledge that Luleå needed overtime to beat Red Bull Salzburg in the previous round, having conceded nine goals over the two legs – however, Lukko will need to tighten up defensively to have any chance of making the next round.