With two periods to go in their two-game series, IFK Helsinki trailed Fribourg-Gottéron 3–2 on aggregate. Then Jasse Ikonen came to life, scoring the tying goal in the second period and the series-winner late in the third period to send IFK into the Champions Hockey League quarter-finals. 

by Sami Iilomo

HELSINKI – After a 2–2 draw in the first leg of their eighth-final series, the situation for IFK Helsinki and Fribourg-Gottéron was clear entering Tueday’s game in Helsinki – win and advance. The game was tied late in the third period when IFK's Jasse Ikonen scored his second goal of the game, which stood to be the series winner. After the game, the hero spoke about the two games against Fribourg and his own contributions to the win.  

Congratulations Jasse. You won but it didn't look easy.
This wasn’t an easy game for us. Fribourg is a very good team, they were playing physical and were able to turn the game very fast so we had to be awake towards our defensive zone.  

And they scored that early goal to make things even more difficult for you.
At the start I think we were pretty nervous about the score and how the game was going to end. Fribourg was slightly better in the first period but in the second and third periods we managed to get control of the game.

Was there any difference in the style of play between the first and second games? 
I think this week’s game was a bit tougher than last week. Last week there were more coast-to-coast hockey but today’s game was more defensive and more physical. 

Until your goal with 3:18 to play in the second game, IFK did not have the lead at all in the series. It seemed like you were always playing catch-up.
Yeah, well we believed in our own game and as the series went further, we had the game better in control and managed to create more opportunities. Fribourg’s passing game was good but as the game came closer to an end they were making some mistakes especially in their defensive zone when we were pressuring. 

Of course, you played a big part in your team's win, scoring the first goal in the second period and then the game-winner late. 
It’s always nice to score some goals, it doesn’t matter where. (The second goal was) one of the most important goals of my career.

Could you describe the goals?
The first of my goals was from a direct attack and the puck was passed to me and I shot to the glove side of the goalie and it went in. On the second we won the faceoff and Robert Leino passed the puck for me and I deflected the puck past Benjamin Conz.

After eight games in the CHL, could you describe the difference between it and the Liiga?
It’s hard to tell any difference on the games between the Finnish Liiga and CHL. Both are highly intense good quality leagues.

Now you're on to the quarter-finals. How far do you think you can go?
Our goal is to remain in  the league until the very end and this win was very important for the future.