KalPa Kuopio found themselves down 4-1 in the second period to the visiting Malmö Redhawks. However, they scored five straight goals - three of them by Kai Kantola - to open Group B with a 6-4 win on home ice.
“In the last period we had to play little bit smarter, we gave them too many 2-on-1s and we shouldn't do that, especially when leading. Of course we were a little bit tired, but when you lead 4-2 in the third period, you need to be smarter than that.”Tuukka Mäntylä, Malmö Redhawks
The Redhawks jumped out front with two first-period goals 15 seconds apart, and then two more quick goals in the second period gave them a three-goal lead, and they seemed in firm control to win their first CHL game. However, Kantola’s first of the game in the last minute of the second period gave KalPa the spark they needed. He scored two more in the third period, the last one being the game-winner with 8:47 to go on a rebound in front on the power play. A late goal by Eetu Luostarinen, assisted by Kantola, made it a 6-4 final.
“I thought the first two periods were pretty good for us. We created a lot of chances and could have scored goals,” figured Malmö Head Coach Peter Andersson. “But in the third period we were weak defensively, there was a power-play goal and let them back into the game, unfortunately. It was tough.”
“I think they stared pretty hard with two quick goals, and when you are down things are getting tough. But we did our job, we worked hard and we came back, starting playing our game, so we have to look for what is positive, and be ready from the start.”Alex Lavoie, KalPa Kuopio