Jokerit suffer crushing 7-2 defeat at Lukko

Jokerit's trip to Rauma turned into a nightmare as Lukko scored seven goals and handed the Helsinki team a 7-2 defeat in the Finnish SM-liiga.

The loss was Jokerit's second in the first two league games of the season. The darkest spell came early in the second period, when Lukko struck four times in quick succession and effectively ended the visitors' hopes of recovering.

Jokerit's performance looked slow and lacking in energy. The team struggled both with and without the puck, while its power play offered little. Successful power-play chances could have brought Jokerit back into the game, but they never came.

Questions had already emerged before the season about whether Jokerit's goaltending might be a weakness. Those concerns appeared justified after two games. Swedish starter Olle Eriksson Ek was replaced in the second period, with Veini Vehviläinen taking over after an uncertain performance in an earlier game against Sport. Eetu Tuulola and Henri Nikkanen scored Jokerit's consolation goals.

Both teams had lost their opening game, making the victory particularly relieving for Lukko. “This was an important win because we have taken a lot of hits, including in the exhibition games. We were simply better than the opponent at five-on-five. It is good to continue from here,” Lukko's Santeri Virtanen told MTV. Jokerit next face Ässät in Pori, while Lukko host JYP in Rauma.

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This was an important win because we have taken a lot of hits, including in the exhibition games. We were simply better than the opponent at five-on-five. It is good to continue from here.