Finnish visitors Lukko Rauma were set to have a perfect start to their 2023/24 Champions Hockey League Playoffs, scoring two goals in the opening period of their Round of 16 clash to go 2-0 up against Austrian side HC Innsbruck.
Lukko's Brayden Burke and Sebastian Repo both made the scoresheet, however, a late comeback from Innsbruck, led by a spectacular Braeden Shaw, saw the score jump to 2-2 as the final buzzer sounded. What went wrong?
"We're really dissapointed to have dropped a 2-0 lead," started Lukko's Burke, who scored the first goal of the game and finished the night on two points, "we let in a really silly goal at the end of the second and that gave them momentum heading into the third."
"When we play how we want to they struggle"Brayden Burke, Lukko Rauma
"In the third period, I think we came out and played pretty decent but we gave them a chance on the odd-man rush and they punished it," he added.
The Canadian has been on fire for Lukko this season, both in the Finnish Liiga and the CHL where he's scored seven points (4G+3A) in six games. What's been clicking so well for him and his line?
"I've been with the guys from the start so that's helped us develop good chemistry - that makes it a lot easier," said the 26-year-old.
Lukko will host Innsbruck in next week's Return Game on Wednesday 22 November at 17:30 CET. What will be their main focus for then?
"We need to play our game," said Burke, "when we play how we want to play they struggle."
"It's also a long day of travel to get to Finland for them so we know it's in our hands now to get the win," he ended.