Lukko Rauma secured their fifth win of the season last night against reigning Swiss champions Genève-Servette. Heading into this game, it looked to be a close and cagy affair, but with three unanswered goals in the opening 13 minutes, it was anything but as Lukko seemed to be skating away with a massive win.
"We came out ready to play," said Brayden Burke, the scorer of the first goal of the game just 29 seconds in.
"A solid win against a really good team"Brayden Burke, Lukko Rauma
"We really caught them on their back feet in the first period," added the 26-year-old who also scored the second of the game eight minutes later, "but in the second period they really improved."
As the teams headed out for the second period, a lot changed in play. Genève were much more attentive, focused and determined to change their fortune. But Lukko didn't budge. How?
"We got it done with good solid hockey and a defence-first approach," thought Burke.
In the final period, however, the Swiss visitors really upped the pressure and when they scored their second goal at 47:43 they came within touching distance of Lukko's lead. But again, Lukko stood as firm as a rock.
"Our goaltender really held us in the second period," commented Burke, "so when we came out for the final 20 minutes we knew we needed to play better and be more defensively sound."
"Overall it's a solid win against a really good team - we're happy," ended the happy ex-AHLer.
Watch highlights of this game below