Finnish challengers Lukko Rauma picked up a huge 2-1 OT win over HC Innsbruck to secure their place in the Champions Hockey League Quarter-Finals.
Lukko dominated the Austrians throughout the whole game but had trouble finding the back of the net due to some exceptional goaltending from Evan Buitenhuis in the away team net who stopped 45 shots.
Lucky for Lukko, the rare mistake he made won them the game when Tarmo Reunanen potted the OT-winner just seconds into the extra frame.
"We want to improve and keep going"
"They played well on the powerplay and their goal while a man up was nice," started Lukko's Ponthus Westerholm, "but overall we had a lot of chances in the game."
Lukko may have controlled the game from start to finish, but they lacked in scoring.
"When we don't capitalise on our chances, especially the ones on the powerplay, then it gives them a chance," explained Westerholm.
The Finns had five powerplays during the game due to some bad discipline from Innsbruck, yet they scored 0 goals while a man up. Why?
"It's down to practice, we just need to focus on that and practice more - we'll definitely find a solution," responded the Swede.
Now that Lukko are among the Top 8 teams in the CHL, how would they sum up their season after this win?
"It's great! I think we're playing really well in the Champions Hockey League," thinks Westerholm, "now we just want to improve and keep going so we can beat our next opponent."
Lukko Rauma will face Czech side Dynamo Pardubice in the 2023/24 Champions Hockey League Quarter-Finals in December. Stay tuned to our official channels for the official schedule!