Finnish team Tappara Tampere beat Swiss side EV Zug 3-2 last night to secure their place in the Champions Hockey League Final with a commanding 5-2 win on aggregate.
The high-pace game packed full of action in Switzerland's Bossard Arena saw the home team do their absolute best to secure their place in the Final, but consistent performances, solid goaltending and patience across the two legs ultimately proved superior for Tappara.
"PLAYING IN THE CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY"Tappara Tampere's Geoff Platt
Tappara picked up some decent chances in the opening 10 minutes, but the Swiss were just getting up to speed as the rest of the game was controlled by them. They outshot the visitors 66-37, racking up an astonishing 40 shots on goal!
"It was a huge Playoffs game," said Tappara's Geoff Platt after the game, "the game was really exciting!"
Zug entered the game two goals down on aggregate but a first-period Reto Suri goal gave them a glimpse of hope. That hope faded slightly due to a second-period equaliser from Tappara's Patrik Virta, but returned when the Swiss team scored in the opening minute of the final frame.
"The intensity was massive - it was fantastic," commented Platt.
They pushed for the series-equaliser but were unable to break down Tappara's solid defence and perfect goaltending from Christian Heljanko. Some late play with an empty net allowed Tappara to score two empty-netters to end all hope of a Swiss comeback.
Tappara now move on to the one-game CHL Final where they will face Luleå Hockey in the Coop Norrbotten Arena. What does making the Final for a second season in a row mean for the club?
"It's been a long road to where we are right now," said Platt, "but we want to win, we want to take advantage," he ended.