Kaapo Kahkonen recorded a 28-save shutout and, against the odds, the Espoo Blues earned a big 2–0 win on home ice against Karpat Oulu in the home leg of their Champions Hockey League Quarter-Final.
Espoo Blues 2–0 Karpat Oulu
by Derek O'Brien, with contribution from Eero Hurmerinta
ESPOO – Without their star and leader Kim Hirschovits, who parted company with the Blues earlier in the day, not many gave the Espoo club much of a chance against Finland's two-time defending champions, but they played a great team game, got great netminding from Kappo Kahkonen, and escaped with a 2–0 win in the first leg of this quarter-final.
“Kaapo Kahkonen was brilliant today. Obviously it wasn’t simple game to prepare for as there has been talk on other subjects than what happens on the ice,” Blues coach Jyrki Aho said about the performance of his goaltender and team in the face of distractions.
Karpat came out strong early, but it was Kakhonen who kept it scoreless. The Blues were back on their heels early, but eventually found their step.
“For this time of year, it was a real playoff game. We couldn’t calibrate ourselves to that speed in the beginning,” Aho explained.
Jussi Makkonen, who inherited the Blues' Cramo Top Scorer jersey, scored the only goal of the first period on the power play, re-directing a centring pass from Ville Korhonen past Antti Lehtonen, who was making his first CHL start after being added to the Karpat roster as a replacement for the injured Sami Aittokallio.
“We had a good start but couldn’t convert our chances. It’s a typical thing that opposing team gets one power-play chance and scores,” said frustrated Karpat forward Simon Suoranta, who had two shots on goal and a few other chances himself. “Of course it’s good to get into chances, but I was lacking a bit of determination.”
Over the last 40 minutes Karpat held a wide edge in play, out-shooting the Blues 20–10, but the home team did a good job of resisting the pressure, and looked for their chances on the counter-attack, and it eventually led to their second goal.
With Karpat really putting on the pressure on a power play in the middle of the third period, looking for the equalizer, the Blues rushed the other way 2-on-2 and Jari Salio's slapper beat Lehtonen high to the blocker side with 10:28 remaining in the game.
“I have no idea why I got the penalty, but it was good to see team scoring shorthanded,” said Blues defenceman Veeti Vainio, who was in the penalty box when Salio scored. It was Vainio's first game after returning from an injury. “It was nice to play again after a break of three weeks. I'll get better as time goes on.”
With their chances of winning or even tying this game now looking dim, Karpat still wanted to close the aggregate gap and had a glorious chance on another late power play when Sebastian Aho cut right in on Kahonen, but was denied on the backhand from point-blank range.
Kahkonen stopped all 28 shots he faced for the shutout, meaning his team will carry a two-goal lead into the return leg in Oulu next Tuesday. They can't get too comfortable, however, as Karpat overcame the same deficit on home ice in the last round against Sparta Prague.
“With that amount of scoring chances, I can’t remember getting shut out before. Our special teams didn’t work as they’re supposed to,” said Karpat coach Lauri Marjamaki, “but the overall game is still on and luckily we get the decider in Oulu.”
GOALS:
1st 08:44 - 1:0 (PP1) - Jussi Makkonen (Ville Korhonen, Markus Poukkula)- 3rd 49:32 - 2:0 (SH1) - Jari Sailio (Urho Vaakanainen)
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