Saturday belonged to underdogs SPV and FBC Loisto as Finnish Cup finals were decided in Riihimäki. SPV beat Nokian KrP 6-5 and FBC Loisto took a 5-4 victory against SB-Pro.
F-liiga tables show both winners lower than their opponents but in yesterday’s big one SPV and Loisto had what it took at the right moment.
Top toddlers FBC Loisto with practically all their players born in 2000 or later blew a 3-1 lead in the dying minutes of the second period but were able to score twice in the third. After SB-Pro had pulled their goalie, Ina Leminen brought them back to 5-4 but their final last-second scoring opportunity sent the ball sailing over the net. This was FBC Loisto’s first women’s trophy after them dominating Finnish junior series for years. Saana Lenkkeri, Emilia Pietilä and Iida Mettälä all had a goal and an assist for FBC Loisto. Mettälä was voted Player of the match by VeikkausTV webstream spectators.
SPV and Nokian KrP had taken on each other earlier this week in a F-liiga game when SPV came back from 0-4 to a 8-6 victory. Unsurprisingly, they were not shaken when Henri Johansson topped his hat trick already in the second period, giving KrP a 4-1 lead. SPV scored twice within 11 seconds to then progress from 3-4 to 6-4 in the final period. Just like SB-Pro, Nokian KrP were able to score once six-on-five but failed to tie it up. Jari Hankkio scored twice for SPV with Sami Koski having three assists.
Watch the goal highlights of both Finnish Cup finals:
Photos: Juhani Järvenpää
