After an opening game loss to Lausanne HC, Lukko Rauma picked up their first win of this year’s Champions Hockey League season in convincing style, defeating Adler Mannheim 5-1 on home ice.
While it was a great team performance by the Finnish side, one player in particular stood out in 27-year-old Scott Pooley, who was the go to playmaker in the game.
It’s his first taste of European hockey after spending his entire professional career in Canada up until this season, but it’s been a good start to life with Lukko Rauma.
“North America doesn’t have anything like this, this is neat. Travelling around is very nice as well."Scott Pooley on his first taste of the Champions Hockey League
“It’s been a super cool experience, seeing all the matchups and everything. You really need to put up a good 60 minutes to win a game.”
Pooley registered three assists in the win over Mannheim, assisting on both of Arttu Ilomäki’s goals in the first period, and the fifth goal for his side scored by Linus Nyman.
In their opening game, Lukko looked to be heading towards victory, but two late goals by Lausanne tied things up, before Jason Fuchs completed the comeback in overtime.
“The first game against Lausanne slipped from our hands.
“We need to focus on a good full 60 minutes. Against Lausanne we stepped off the gas a little.
“We’ve got to learn from mistakes and keep up with big penalty kills.”
While Lukko have opened their CHL season at home, they are now preparing for trips to Germany and Switzerland for their next two games, giving the team chance to bond as they look to progress out of the Group Stage, and prepare for what they hope will be a successful domestic season while seeing a different standard of hockey in different countries.
"Of course, each team plays a little differently, but nothing has not been too unexpected yet. Off the ice being on the road we get to see a new environment day after day. We also get time to bond and get together as a team," Pooley concluded.
Lukko face Lausanne in Switzerland on Game Day 3, before a rematch with Mannheim in Germany on Game Day 4.