Luleå Hockey are back in the Champions Hockey League Semi-Finals following a 3-1 road victory over Jukurit Mikkeli, taking their Quarter-Finals series by an 8-2 aggregate score.

Luleå had a five-goal aggregate lead following a three-goal outburst in the third period of their First Game on home ice, but having come back from five down to win their Quarter-Finals series against Red Bull Salzburg back in that title season, they knew they couldn’t count on that lead. A late Jukurit goal in that game made it a four-goal difference heading into this one.

The visitors from northern Sweden left nothing to chance as they dominated the first period, outshooting Jukurit 15-6 and scoring twice to open up a six-goal aggregate lead with 40 minutes to play. Konstantin Komarek scored the first goal at the four-minute mark, tapping in a nice behind-the-back pass from Einar Emanuelsson to finish off a rush. Brendan Shinnimin scored twice in the First Game and scored his third of this two-game series on a brilliant individual effort late in the first period, circling the net and beating Markus Ruusu top corner.

Jukurit got a goal back midway through the second period, with Jesper Piitulainen finishing off the play by converting a cross-ice pass from Top Scorer Patrik Puistola. The Finns had a chance to draw a bit closer late in the middle frame when two Luleå penalties 15 seconds apart gave them an extended 5-on-3 powerplay. However, they were unable to convert.

The Finnish team never really threatened after that. If there was any remaining doubt, the lead was increased to six with under 12 minutes to play when Juhani Tyrväinen banked in a rebound off the pad of a scrambling Ruusu. Video replay was needed to confirm that the puck crossed the goal line.