In just his second Champions Hockey League game, SaiPa Lappeenranta winger Brock Trotter scored 2 goals, lifting his total to 3. After his team's first-leg victory over Vaxjo Lakers, he talked about the game, his linemates and the CHL in general. 

by Silja Schemeikka and Derek O'Brien

LAPPEENRANTA – In the first leg of their Round of 16 series with the Vaxjo Lakers, SaiPa Lappenranta got off to a fast start on home ice with two goals in the first 10:28. Both goals were scored by Brock Trotter, a 29-year-old Canadian who just joined SaiPa a month ago, but it is his fourth season in Europe after previously playing in Latvia, Croatia and Sweden. He played two NHL games for the Montreal Canadiens in the 2009-10 season.

In his first eight games with the Finnish club, which include seven in the Liiga and one in the CHL, Trotter had 3 goals and 3 assists. On Tuesday night, he showed great chemistry with linemates  Curtis Hamilton and Matti Jarvinen, despite playing only their second game together. 

The first goal came just 22 seconds in when Trotter took a pass from Jarvinen and skated into the attacking zone before going high, glove side on Vaxjo goalie Joacim Ericsson. Ten minutes later, it was Hamilton giving Trotter the feed in the slot, and again he went high on Ericsson, this time to the stick side. 

Eventually the Lakers came back to tie the score, but SaiPa won 3-2 thanks to a late goal from Tomi Leivo, meaning they'll take a one-goal lead into Vaxjo next Tuesday.  

Brock, what did you think about the game? 

“I think we played pretty well. I had a couple of good players as my linemates today. We were creating lots of offence and managed well opportunities in the first period. During the game we created a couple more chances. It was pretty tight game, looking forward to going to Sweden. Obviously Vaxjo are a good team, I need to give them credit. They really keep to their game plan. They scored a couple goals and came closer. They were hardworking goals.” 

Speaking of your linemates, it seemed that the three of you had good chemistry out there.

“It was our second game together – we were put together in last game. I think we played creatively and had good scoring chances. They’re both great players. Hamilton is having a great season and so is Jarvinen. Playing with those guys makes easier for me and they create a lot of space for me also.” 

This was only your second CHL game, but would you say it's any different than in the Liiga? 

“It’s tough to say what the difference is. Not every game is the same, either. I think it’s more about playing teams other than what you’re used to, because it’s always going to be little bit different in every game. Their systems are little bit different and so on. In the CHL there are two games close together, so you have to worried about your own system and play within your own system as a team.”

Next game in Sweden a bunch of SaiPa fans will be making the trip, travelling on the same charter flight as the team. What did you think when you heard that?

“Actually I’m hearing it for the first time. It should be fun. I’m looking forward to going to Sweden and I hope we get to play more games in the CHL after that. This is my first time playing in the league and so far it has been a pretty good experience.”