Day two of the European Finals consisted of matches featuring last year’s winner Luleå taking on JYP and the host team the Eisbären Berlin squaring off against Färjestad BK.
JYP Punches Its Ticket to the Championship Game
As expected Luleå set the pace by scoring first against JYP who was victorious yesterday against Djurgårdens IF. Each team had opportunities on the power play, but neither could convert and Luleå went into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
As the game went on the intensity picked up with some edgy play. After Markus Nenonen tied the game at one, the game reached its potential tipping point. Max Wärn who scored a crucial shorthanded goal yesterday was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for an illegal hit. What appeared to be a golden opportunity for Luleå turned into a momentum boost for JYP after Luleå failed to score.
The third period featured plenty of action, including multiple scoring chances for both sides and more physical play. JYP would take its first lead of the game off of a shot from Eric Perrin. However, the reigning champions showed their resolve and scored less than three minutes later with a tally from Robin Jonsson. The two teams traded chances and wound up square at two after regulation.
It’d be much of the same in the extra frame with both teams unable to cash in on chances. In the shootout Eric Perrin struck again and would score the first and only goal in the shootout. With its victory, JYP has secured a spot in the championship game against the winner of Group B.
In spite of the exciting game decided by a shootout, the two teams only played in front of a crowd of 1,600. At max capacity the o2 World Arena in Berlin holds 14,200 fans. On the heels of his go ahead goal and decisive shootout goal, Eric Perrin was named the game’s MVP and goaltender Tuomas Tarkki had another strong game and was the second star of the game.
Injury, Undisciplined Play Doom Eisbären Berlin
After winning their opening game, Färjestad BK came out the gates at full force, looking to secure a spot in the championship game. It’d be a period of missed opportunities, however. At the five minute mark, Färjestad BK had the puck right on the goal line, but couldn’t punch it in. Both teams went o-2 on the powerplay. The biggest moment of the opening frame was actually an injury. Following a collision Eisbären Berlin goaltender Rob Zepp had to be helped off of the ice and replaced by Sebastian Elwing.
The Eisbären Berlin unraveled in the second period. After giving up a goal in the opening minute, frustrations began to boil over as they
committed a myriad of undisciplined penalties and would give up two 5-3 power-play goals. Julain Talbot managed to get called for a spearing major, cross-checking minor and game misconduct in a matter of seconds. Milan Gulas proved to be the difference maker scoring the first two goals for Färjestad BK and assisting on the third.
In the final period, Färjestad Bk would add one more from the stick of Jack Connolly and win the game 4-0. Milan Gulas would take home MVP honors, while Färjestad BK goaltender Daniel Taylor earned a shutout and the second star.
The win sends Färjestad BK to the championship game. They’ll faceoff against JYP on Sunday. That also means tomorrow’s games have been rendered meaningless. The Eisbären Berlin will take on the Frölunda Indians, while Luleå will battle against Djurgårdens IF in what will mean little more than exhibition games.