Tappara need better start in Lappeenranta

Tappara won the Finnish Liiga title last year and are tied for first place after nine games this season, but unless they come up with a three-goal win in Lappeenranta, their CHL run will be over. That's because SaiPa, who sit way down in 13th place in the domestic league, won 2-0 in Tampere last week.

“It's quite a nice feeling,” said goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, who made 11 saves for the relatively easy shutout. “It was fun to play and hopefully this was an entertaining game. Our team played well today. We got started well and everybody did their jobs.”

Understandably, things aren't as joyous in the Tappara camp.

“I feel irritated because of our game tonight,” Tappara defenceman Pekka Savaro said after the first game. “We were not as ready to play in the first period as we should've been.”

They'd better be ready to play Tuesday, or the Finnish champs will go no farther than the Round of 32.

“The situation is now 2-0 in their favour, but we will be ready to fight for qualification in Lappeenranta. There are still three periods to go,” Saravo said determinedly.

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