Joonas Donskoi scored the only two goals – one on the power play and one at the tail end of a shorthanded situation – in Karpat Oulu's 2–0 victory in game one of their quarter-final against SaiPa Lappeenranta.

by Kalle Mantere

LAPPEENRANTA – As the team's leading scorer in the Champions Hockey League (10 points in nine games) and second from the top in Liiga play (18 points in 26 games), Joonas Donskoi is one of the players that Karpat Oulu turn to for offence. He came through in the first leg of the quarter-final against SaiPa Lappeenranta on Tuesday, scoring the game's only two goals. That wasn't all he did, though, as his defensive game was strong and saw significant penalty-killing time, helping limit the number of chances SaiPa got in the game. He spoke afterward.

That looked like a tough game out there. It seemed to take you guys a while to get going.

The first period was tough for us. We weren't ready for the game, but got going in the second. SaiPa put a good amount of pressure in our defensive zone, and at times we just couldn't get out. In the first period we couldn't even attack as we just we that tired in our own zone.

Finally you got going in the second period and scored a couple of goals. What about that play on the power play where you went to the net and took the pass there?

That was the first time we did it (that play). We didn't even practice it. It was just something that our head coach drew up on the board. I'd say it worked really well.

Then your second goal came at the tail end of a penalty you were killing.

I got an excellent pass from (Joonas) Kemppainen and got to backhand it towards the goal. It's always nice to score shorthanded. You don't think that you’re going to score shorthanded. At least I don't. Your job is to make sure the opponent doesn't score, and if that happens we're satisfied with that. If you happen to score while shorthanded that's just a big plus.

(Ed. note: It was technically not a shorthanded goal, as it was scored at the second the penalty expired.)

What about the opportunity to kill penalties? Is that something new for you?

Last season I didn't get to kill penalties at all, but this season I've been given the chance. It's nice and I'm grateful to the coaching staff that I've been given the responsibility.

In general, you're thought of as an offensive player. Now you seem to be getting a lot of defensive responsibilities.

I've been given a lot of responsibilities. It's been nice that the coaching staff can trust me with defensive responsibilities and not just offensive.

Looking at the series with SaiPa, you now take a two-goal lead home to Oulu. What do you think of this two-game, total-goal format?

It's different to play when every goal counts. Our defence worked really well tonight and (Iiro) Tarkki was excellent in goal. It wasn't the best game from us, but a two-goal lead before the second leg works for us.

How important is winning in the CHL for your team?

Winning the CHL is definitely a goal for us. You're playing for the European championship and it's playoff time, so yes personally I want to succeed in the tournament.

Do you expect more people to come and watch the second leg in Oulu?

It's hard to say. I've thought about that and if I would put myself in the shoes of the people watching, I'd be very interested to see international games. A different hockey culture or style of play. The Czechs for example play a totally different kind of hockey than the Finns.

Watch the highlights of the game, including Donskoi's two goals, here.