- Highly entertaining eight-goal thriller in Zurich
- Two goals each for Nicklas Lasu of Kärpät and Fredrik Pettersson of Zurich
- Pettersson scored with one second left to secure a tie
As Kärpät Oulu travelled to Switzerland to take on the ZSC Lions Zurich in the first of their Round of 16 clashes in the Champions Hockey League, the visitors got off to a dream start less than a minute into the contest, as rising star Aleksi Heponiemi tucked in a loose puck just 44 seconds into the game.
After the early goal, it was an exciting first period of hockey, Kevin Klein got things tired up with a blast from the point just eight minutes in before Raphael Prassl tucked in his own rebound at the 15-minute mark to give Zurich a 2-1 lead.
Before the opening 20 minutes were complete, Nicklas Lasu added one more to the score sheet to make it a 2-2 game heading into the second period, after a great feed from Jasper Lindsten set him up for a one on one with the keeper.
After four goals in the opening frame, the score sheet was a lot quieter to start the second, both sides tried to get the go-ahead goal but struggled to find any way past either netminder, with both sides trading scoring chances.
Eventually, Zurich managed to find a way past Veini Vehviläinen as Fredrik Pettersson snuck his short side on the Finnish netminder to give the Lions a lead once again, with Niklas Schlegel standing firm at the other end of the ice to give the hosts a 3–2 edge heading into the final period.
With Kärpät looking to get the game tied up, they pressed and set the tone with their physical style of play, but couldn't find a way past Niklas Schlegel, until a powerplay midway through the final frame gave them their chance.
A point shot from Teemu Kivihalme was tipped in front by Nicklas Lasu, and after a quick review the goal was given, making it three a piece with time ticking away.
Inside the dying moments of the game, Kärpät were given a late powerplay after Pius Suter was sent to the box for delay of game, and the visitors wasted no time in striking. Shaun Heshka fired a shot from the blueline through a sea of bodies, deflecting off the pipe and in, almost surely guaranteeing the win.
But Zurich were not done yet, with the go-ahead goal coming at 66 seconds remaining, they had very little time to work with and left it as late as possible for Pettersson to grab his second of the night, securing a 4-4 tie with 59:58 on the clock, making it all to play for next week in Finland.