LASB and Steelers served the season’s first surprise results as F-liiga for men took off on Sunday. LASB took their first ever away victory against SPV with 6-5 and World Champion Eero Kosonen led Steelers to a point as they only lost against TPS in a penalty shootout.
Three-time Finnish champions SPV were lost in the first 30 minutes of the game and underdogs LASB were not late to build a comfortable-looking 6-1 lead. Famous for their impressive comebacks, SPV reached 5-6 in the dying minutes of the game but never got the tying ball past LASB goalie Santtu Pohjonen. Also, SPV started the game and the season with two goalies who previously had just one highest league game between themselves. After 22 minutes and five goals, Valtteri Honko was replaced by Anton Kronqvist between the posts.
In Hämeenlinna, Eero Kosonen stopped 25 shots and TPS goalie Oskari Fälden just nine as Steelers came back from 0-2 to take the game all the way to penalties.
Shutouts are no everyday treat for floorball goalies but EräViikingit’s Santtu Strandberg started his season with one as he stopped all Tiikerit attempts in a 3-0 away win including Mattias Kokljuschkin’s penalty shot (photo below).
Other F-liiga men’s opening night results
Happee–Westend Indians 4-8
Oilers–Nurmon Jymy 6-3
OLS–Nokian KrP 4-6
Classic–Welhot 7-5
Photos: Juha Käenmäki and Jarmo Koskela
