- Lukko secured a place in the Quarter-Finals for a third consecutive time
- Storhamar's undisciplined play was the dagger in their defeat
- The Finns were able to score three tallies on the man-advantage
A five-goal game for Lukko Rauma helped them overcome their Norwegian opponents as the Finnish club went on to defeat Storhamar Hamar by an aggregate score of 8-4 in the Champions Hockey League Round of 16. Storhamar had their chances throughout the series, but a competent defence combined with an excellent offence helped keep the Finns' season alive and well.
Strong play along the boards and a quick flick of the wrist from the doorstep gave the visitors the first goal of the game and tied the aggregate scoring to 3-3. A breakdown in defence from Lukko below the red line allowed Isac Skedung to direct the puck to Mats Bakke Olsen who lasered it past Antti Raanta.
Lukko would respond when their powerplay made its debut 7:30 into the game. The Finns netted their first of the night and fourth on aggregate thanks to some selfless play from Antti Saarela, who served an excellent feed from just outside the crease to Aarne Intonen, who slid it between the pads of the Norwegian netminder.
In the second, it was the hosts extending their lead on aggregate to 5-3 when a nifty deflection from Ponthus Westerholm found its way past a helpless Henrik Fayen-Vestavik. Niclas Almari threw the puck towards the net, where the active stick of Westerholm was able to redirect it for his second of the campaign.
Storhamar scored an all-important goal at the 32-minute mark of the contest. A pass up the boards from Andreas Martinsen made its way to a wide-open Jacob Berglund, who skated in behind Lukko's defence and went forehand backhand to lift the puck over the glove of Raanta.
The hosts had their legs going in the third stanza, where they potted two in quick succession. Steven Jandric potted his club's second powerplay goal when he dove for the puck in the crease and shovelled it in. Then Pathrik Westerholm made it 7-4 on aggregate.
Mikael Ruohomaa netted the Finns' final goal - a one-timer on the powerplay - and after allowing the first goal in both games, it would be Lukko on the winning side as they secure a place in the Quarter-Finals.