Auroraliiga: Kiekko-Espoo lost dramatically in the finals, HPK scored the winning goal in the last minute

Kiekko-Espoo lost to HPK on Friday in the Aurora League finals. Picture from Tuesday’s third match in Espoo. Picture: Seppo Kärki / IS

HPK–Kiekko-Espoo 3–2 (wins 2–2)

Hämeenlinna Pallokerho defeated Kiekko-Espoo in an entertaining match on Friday with 3–2 goals and leveled the Auroraliiga final series.

The fourth final match was decided dramatically in the last minute. Czech forward of HPK Anna Kalová scored the winning goal just 40 seconds before the end of the match.

Kiekko-Espoo reached the third set with a 2–1 lead and practically completely controlled it. However, HPK hit the goals with both of their shots in the final set and emerged victorious.

Head coach of the home team Marko Peltoniemi was after the match in his happy HBO interview.

“Of course, a damn great, really even match. Aurora League at its best. Two tough teams play precisely and closely and fight, a great display of Finnish women’s hockey,” Peltoniemi beamed.

“I’m incredibly proud that we were able to come from a goal down to draw and win handsomely. I think it was a well-deserved victory, we were so mentally strong today,” he continued.

As an underdog HPK, which went to the final series, improved its performance significantly already on Tuesday, when it claimed a 4–2 away victory in the third match of the finals. Friday’s match was even, except for the last set.

HPK opened the goal taps in the second period, when Vanessa Viitalan the slightly missed shot surprised Kiekko-Espoo’s goalkeeper Tiia Pajarinen. Anni Montonen tied the game just one minute and 39 seconds later.

Kiekko-Espoo’s brightest star Emma Nuutinen scored the lead goal with a handsome wrist shot in 33:51, but the hit was the last for the Espoo team.

HPK, who shone with two goals on Tuesday No, Pelkonen succeeded at an important moment at the very beginning of the final set. Pelkonen, who got off the ice, scored a 2-2 equalizer just 27 seconds after the start of the set.

Kalová, who scored her sixth goal of the playoffs, decided the match for HPK despite the pressure from Kiekko-Espo.

Size Kiekko-Espoo, who dominated the Auroraliiga for the season, won the first two matches of the finals, but HPK, which improved its game, has dragged itself to the levels.

Kiekko-Espoo’s head coach Sami Haapanen didn’t seem satisfied with his team’s performance. HPK’s hits from the only goal posts in the final set were frustrating.

“Maybe we too will find some kind of desire and lust for that game. Let’s go find it somewhere,” acknowledged Haapanen in an interview with HBO.

“I don’t know, for two sets we were pumped to find that heat. And then when we find it a little at the end of the second set, the opponent punishes us in the third set. Two goals from two places. So we’ll try,” he said.

The final series continues on Sunday in Espoo. The championship will be suspended for sure on Wednesday of next week.

For Tapiola’s fifth final match, Haapanen hopes for a strong audience.

“I can promise the Espoo fans a positive game. Maybe there’s something worth coming to see,” he concluded.