After Lukko Rauma's 3-2 shootout loss at home to ZSC Lions Zurich, forward Aleksi Saarela spoke frankly about his first CHL game. 

by Miro Perhe

RAUMA – Aleksi Saarela is only 19 years old but he already seems like a veteran player, with 119 professional Liiga games under his belt. The Helsinki-born forward is a product of the Lukko Rauma system, and after two years in the Assat Pori club, he is back with Lukko to start the 2016-17 season.

On Friday night, Saarela played his first Champions Hockey League game and he scored a goal – a power-play marker with 3:06 to play that started Lukko's late comeback against group leaders ZSC Lions Zurich. They got another goal from Janne Niskala 26 seconds later to tie the game, which they eventually lost in a shootout, 3-2.

After the game has ended, how would you describe it?

“The first period was crap from us. I don’t know was it because of tension or what but that kind of period on home ice… everyone should watch in the mirror what are we doing. The second and third periods were bullish. We noticed that the other team was dropping back.”

It looked from the crowd that you couldn’t play the game as you wanted it.

“Actually, the third period was that kind of game from us. Quick reactions and attacking. It isn’t pure gold at this point of season but we have lots of time. I don’t stress if the game doesn’t always go as we want it to. When the whole team is on the same page I think that no one can stop us.”

Was there any point in the game that you truly were charge of the game?

“At the end I noticed that Zurich couldn’t keep up. We didn’t have anything to worry about. The only reason we didn't get three points is because of the first period.”

But still, they're a pretty tough opponent?

“They are and so are we. They don’t have miracle workers there. They eat the same kind of porridge as us. I don’t care which player is against me and what name is written in the back. On the ice, it’s same kind of guy who plays hockey as a professional. I didn’t see any kind of superstars on their team. We played our first CHL game and Zurich has already played two before.”

How about the future in the group?

“We want to win the last three games, no question. That is our goal.”