As Slovan Bratislava welcomed their Finnish opponents Tappara Tampere for the 2022/23 CHL season, it didn’t take long to see how badly both teams wanted to showcase their shared status as national champions in their respective countries. The first period was full of effort from both teams racing to get the first goal on the board, with Tappara showing a bit more zeal with more shots taken. 

A second chance opportunity brought the first goal for Tappara by number 74, Jere Henrikkson, with the assist by Mikael Seppälä and Viljami Nieminen with just three minutes left in the opening period. 

The pressure came right off the top of the second period, with number 13, Valtteri Kemiläinen, bringing the score to 2-0 for Tappara. A much-needed powerplay was given to Slovan but they were unable to capitalize on their advantage.

Tappara got their first powerplay shortly after and another penalty followed, bringing a two-man advantage for the Finns, bringing a great opportunity to advance their lead, which is exactly what they did, with Niko Ojamäki racking in their third goal. Just shy of five minutes later, Ojamäki scored again, bringing a comfortable 4-0 lead to Tappara in the second period.  

While Slovan was looking to get something going before the end of the second period, luck would not prove on their side, as the Finnish crushed their every attempt. 

Yet, Slovan would shake off their slow start and get their magic moment at the start of the third period. Samuel Takáč brought the team’s first point on the board with a beautiful shot from long range.  

As Slovan attempted to keep their momentum going, two high sticks were reviewed and rejected, leaving the score 4-1 for Tappara at the 41:26 mark. However, the home team would get their next chance with William Rapuzzi capturing the second goal at 45:32. 

Waltteri Merelä would disrupt Slovan’s resurgence after scoring Tampere’s fifth goal during a powerplay after Slovan’s Tomáš Matoušek was called for tripping, followed by teammate, Juraj Valach, minutes later with the same penalty. 

A feisty third period by Slovan proved to come just a bit too late to catch up with Tappara, with a final score of 5:2.