TPS Turku did what they had to do to keep their qualification chances alive at home to the group-winning Nottingham Panthers.
The Panthers took an early lead through Ollie Betteridge, who was left unmarked in front with 7:06 gone, but it took TPS just 17 seconds to tie the game through Lucas Ekeståhl-Jonsson from the point after Galbraith had pulled off a great save on the floor. Tomi Kallio then put the hosts ahead with 11:23 gone.
The score stayed a one-goal game until 47:40, when Robert Lachowicz tied it to the delight of the sizable group of travelling Nottingham fans. That goal seemed to wake the home side up somewhat, as three goals in the space of four minutes saw them power through to win the game – Petrus Palmu added goals at 53:54 and 55:50 respectively, while Lauri Pajuniemi added a fifth at 57:27.
"I’m glad we managed to improve got those goals. We have to be happy with the third period."Topi Taavitsainen, forward, TPS Turku
"TPS are a good team and they played well today, but I think we frustrated them. In the end they just had a bit more than us."Patrick Galbraith, goaltender, Nottingham Panthers