After suffering the law of Pardubice (3-2 tb) during the opening match of the Spengler Cup, Friborg got back on track perfectly by beating the Finns of Kärpät Oulu 6-4. The Freiburgers can hope to finish first in their group and therefore qualify directly for the semi-finals if Pardubice does not beat Kärpät Oulu.
However, Friborg chased the score against the Finns for a long time. Lars Leuenberger’s men actually fell behind three times before taking an advantage which proved decisive.
The first half gave rise to a festival of goals as the score was already 3-2 after only 20 minutes for Kärpät Oulu. The Finns opened the scoring after 2’10 of play thanks to Saku Maenalanen before the Friborgs came back via TJ Brennan, loaned for the tournament by Ajoie. A short-lived equalizer since it only took… 7 seconds and a goal from Reid Gardiner to see the Nordiques regain the advantage.
Dave Sutter then brought his colors back to Kärpät Oulu in the 11th. But Viljami Juusola gave the Finns a third lead 4’02 from the end of the first period.
Match penalty for Sörensen
In the second period, Friborg equalized in the 27th before taking the advantage for the first time in the game thanks to Benoît Jecker in the 34th.
In the third period, the match could well have turned to Kärpät Oulu’s advantage when Marcus Sörensen received a major penalty (5 minutes + match penalty) for a knee strike in the 42nd. But despite a lot of pressure from the Finnish team, the Friborg team closed ranks and even surprised their opponent by scoring 5-3 while outnumbered in the 46th minute.
In the 52nd minute, Patrik Virta brought his team within a length but the Dragons were able to be solid in defense and finally ensured their success with a goal in Jacob Lilja’s empty net 1’25 from the end of regulation time.
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