The Nuorten SM-Liiga or Finnish U20 competition held the turnausmuotoisesti in Pori this weekend.
A total of Ten teams play over the three days, with each team playing three games [one game a day each].
The competition is made up of Nine sides from the Finnish SM-Liiga; Lukko, Ässät, Pelicans, KooKoo, Ilves, Tappara, TPS, SaiPa, Jukurit and Austrian side Salzburg.
Five games take place each day in Pori, in either the main Isomäki Areena, home to Assat, or the practise hall, Astora Arena
Friday, November 25
Pelicans - Lukko 3-2 shootout
KooKoo - Ilves 3-2 overtime
Salzburg - Tappara 3-4
TPS - SaiPa 8-3
Ässät - Jukurit 8-1
* The most surprising score line from Day One was Salz-Tap because Salzburg, although being a strong side in their own country, little was known of them or expected. When Tappara scored in the first minute those thoughts were strengthened. Tappara dominated for most of the first period but Salzburg were able to fight against them well!
Salzburg showed what a very physical and aggressive team they were, as they threw our Finn boys along the walls.
I wasn't able to see the whole game but Tappara's goalie Rautiainen had 38 saves, while Salzburg's Reich had only 18.
However, the Austrian side were stronger against Tappara than I expected so it's positive!
* TPS of Turku beat SaiPa with 8-3, although I have no idea what happened there because SaiPa isn't that bad of a side, while TPS had two huge penalties called against them. SaiPa were also awarded some penalty shoots during the game. TPS has one of the best goalies in the league, possibly even the best, in Julius Pohjanoksa. Even though he is very small for a goalie (179cm/70kg), he recorded a 93.93%sp to help limit SaiPa's goal scoring. But that doesn't explain how TPS wracked up 8 goals themselves.
* Ässät eased to an 8-1 win over Jukurit. They held a firm 3-0 lead after the first period and wracked up further goals on home ice.
Saturday, November 26
Pori - Isomäki Areena
Tappara - Pelicans 3-6
KooKoo - Lukko 3-2
Salzburg - Assat 1-2
Pori - Astora Arena
Ilves - SaiPa 4-0
Jukurit - TPS 1-4
* A tough day in the tournament, all players were tough against refs and so many injuries that I can't even count those.
One of the popular players from Lukko, Niklas Murto, got injured too as someone threw him head first into the boards. Thankfully he was alright though, and after resting for five minutes he was able to play again.
He's gotten used to that. He told me afterwards that he's 'a little sore but that's all'.
Other games around Finland
Tikkurilla - K-Vantaa - Sport 0-3
* A tough day in the tournament, all players were tough against refs and so many injuries that I can't even count those.
One of the popular players from Lukko, Niklas Murto, got injured too as someone threw him head first into the boards. Thankfully he was alright though, and after resting for five minutes he was able to play again.
He's gotten used to that. He told me afterwards that he's 'a little sore but that's all'.
Other games around Finland
Tikkurilla - K-Vantaa - Sport 0-3
* Lukko won on Sunday against Jukurit, so the day's action started with a positive.
* TPS lost to Salzburg which was the biggest surprise. Salzburg did deserve to win at least one game during the tournament, but TPS had been so strong in the other games that it is a very confusing result.
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