We couldn't have asked for a closer Semi-Finals series between Lukko Rauma and Genève-Servette in the Champions Hockey League with just a single goal proving the decider between these two close rivals.
One player had an amazing game last night, scoring two goals against his countrymen to push Genève into the CHL Final - we're of course talking about superstar first-liner Valtteri Filppula!
We caught up with the forward after the game yesterday - here's what he had to say.
"I don't score that much these days"Valtteri Filppula, Genève-Servette
"The game could've gone either way and it would've been fair but we're really happy to have got the job done," started Filppula. And what he says is true - it really could've gone either way as Genève were trailing by two goals as late as the 35th minute of the game!
"It was really tight against them in all the games we played this season," added the ex-NHLer.
Two goals for a forward who had only scored once all season ahead of the game must have really made his day.
"It's always nice to score but the assists made these goals happen," he admitted, "I don't score that much these days so it was good to get back into it."
It was a special game for the Finland native and fans of Lukko were lining up for autographs, photos and handshakes with him regardless of his Genève jersey. How did he enjoy the trip and everything around it?
"It was really nice to visit," he replied, "we've been here for a couple of days now and we'll spend another in Helsinki tomorrow."
"You don't get to come home often during the season so I'm happy I'll get to see the family for a bit as well."
Teammate Teemu Hartikainen set Filppula up for the first goal with a spectacular late pass in front of net. Both players are some of Genève's finest but have been a bit less productive than usual.
"It was an empty net from two feet for me thanks to the incredible pass," joked Filppula, "we've been struggling to score all season really. It's tough, I feel a lot of games we play well but don't score, so we've just got to keep doing what we're doing."
Filppula, who will turn 40 in March, has been around and succeeded on club and international level. The NHL veteran has won the Stanley Cup, captained team Finland to their first Olympic gold medal in Beijing and guided Finland to World Championship victory on home ice in 2022. Is the European Trophy and title of European Club Champions up next in his near-perfect trophy cabinet?
"Yeah," smiled Filppula, "but now I'm just really happy we won - it's just one game left!" he ended.
Genève-Servette will face Swedish club Skellefteå AIK in the CHL Final on 20 February 2024 at the Patinoire des Vernets in Geneva (SUI).