It was an extremely thin squad that set course for Vaasa on Saturday morning. After a quick negotiation it was decided that Emilio would make his first appearance as a player and that Jarno would mind the net in both games. The line-up in the first game: Jarno goalkeeper, Mats (1+0) and Söddin defence, Rasse (0+1), Jani (5 min), Mika, Lassi and Emilio attackers.With two defenders and five attackers it was clear that the tactics would be somewhat defensive, especially as the opponents was top of the standings Royal Mela.
In the first two periods the men’s team managed to tag along, but two black minutes in the beiginning of the third period decided the game in Royal Mela’s favour.
The scoresheet can be found here.
One hour later the opponents had changed to Mousetrap, who played their first game of the day against the already worn out men’s team. A bit of a swap in the line-up was done, Jarno continued as goalie, Mats (1+1, 2 min) and Rasse (1+0) formed the defense, Söddin (0+2), Jani (0+1), Emilio, Lassi (2+0) and Mika (2+1) attackers.
In the first period Mousetrap took a couple of minor penalties and SC Saragoza thanked and scored in both of them. After the first period, the score was 4-0 and it felt pretty comfortable. Halfway through the game the by fatigue forced errors started to show and Mousetrap could open their scoring. After two played periods the scoring was 5-2. Luckily Mousetrap had been revarded with a minor penalty and Lassi extended the lead in the first shift of the third period. The men’s team spent most of the time in their own zone and Mousetrap could creep closer and closer. After the 6-5 goal was scored at 36:38 quite a few in the stands would have been prepared to bet on Mousetrap to win the game. Heroic defending and a time-out spent breathing ensured that SC Saragoza could hold on to the lead, and as Mika stressed the opponents defender to redirect a long pass from Rasse into his own empty net the game was over.
A link to the scoresheet can be found here.
When Adonis surprisingly managed to lose both their games it seems that there still is a fair chance to reach the second place of the table. Royal Mela leads by three points before Adonis and Sparta and an additional point to SC Saragoza and as they face Mousetrap in the last tournament they will most probably win the series. Adonis faces both Sparta and SC Saragoza and that will certainly decide the second, third and fourth places. Sparta also faces Mousetrap while SC Saragoza plays FC Brändöpojkarna – who have not lost since they last played SC Saragoza. All of this will be decided on Sunday in Laihia, SC Saragoza’s games at 11:00 vs FC Brändöpojkarna and at 15:00 vs Adonis.
Standings, scores and stats are found here.