Story Summary
Lukko ended a long home drought against Tappara with a regulation-time win on Thursday. Heikki Liedes opened the scoring for Lukko, Joachim Blichfeld levelled shortly after following a quick puck steal, and Jesper Mattila then put Tappara ahead. Henri Ikonen restored parity before Aleksi Saarela scored the decisive goal, arriving first at a puck fired into the end boards by his younger brother Antti and beating Christian Heljangon. Heljangon was credited with 25 saves; Antti Raanta, playing his first full game of the season, made 17 stops. Aleksi Saarela praised the team’s spirit afterwards, saying that “today everyone had a big Lukko heart” and that at no point did it feel like they would lose.
Key Facts
- Lukko recorded a regulation-time victory over Tappara in the only Liiga match on Thursday.
- Lukko’s previous home win against Tappara in a regular-season game came in September 2021.
- Since that 2021 home victory, Lukko had won three regular-season away games against Tappara and one playoff game in regulation; two subsequent home wins had come in overtime and last season Tappara won all four meetings.
- Heikki Liedes scored the opening goal for Lukko.
- Joachim Blichfeld equalised for Tappara after a quick puck turnover.
- Jesper Mattila put Tappara back in front before Henri Ikonen tied the game from close range.
- Tappara challenged Ikonen’s goal for goaltender interference, but the challenge failed, leaving Kari Jalosella without a timeout in the closing stages.
- Aleksi Saarela scored the winning goal by arriving first at a puck fired into the end boards by Antti Saarela and beating Christian Heljangon.
- Christian Heljangon was credited with 25 saves.
- Antti Raanta, playing his first full game of the season, made 17 saves for Lukko.
IHM Discussion
The result is notable largely because of its rarity: Lukko have struggled to beat Tappara at home in recent years, and regulation wins over the Kirvesrinnat have been uncommon for the Rauma club. The match followed several lead changes and a failed Tappara challenge that preserved Lukko’s equaliser, leaving the game to be decided by a follow-up finish. Aleksi Saarela’s winner underlined Lukko’s hunger around the net, while Antti Raanta’s first full outing of the campaign provided a steady last line of defence. Saarela’s post-match remark about a collective ‘Lukko heart’ captures the psychological weight of securing a home victory in a fixture that has recently gone the other way.
Why It Matters
The win gives Lukko a morale boost against a familiar rival after a difficult recent home record in the fixture. For the squad and supporters, it is a reminder that close games can be settled in regulation.
Mini Q&A
Who scored the winning goal for Lukko?
Aleksi Saarela scored the winning goal after arriving first at a puck fired into the end boards by Antti Saarela and beating Christian Heljangon.
How did the goal sequence develop earlier in the match?
Heikki Liedes opened the scoring for Lukko, Joachim Blichfeld equalised after a quick turnover, Jesper Mattila put Tappara ahead, and Henri Ikonen levelled again before the Lukko winner.
Who were the goalkeepers and how many saves did they make?
Christian Heljangon made 25 saves for Tappara; Antti Raanta, playing his first full game of the season for Lukko, made 17 saves.
When was Lukko’s last regular-season home win over Tappara before this result?
Lukko’s previous regular-season home win against Tappara was in September 2021.