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Jokerit's difficult return continues at Lukko as TPS and Pelicans go two-for-two

Aleksi Saarela in action for Lukko
Aleksi Saarela in action for LukkoČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Elmeri Elo / All Over Press

Jokerit's return to Finland's Liiga has proven difficult for the Mestis champion so far - they have lost two from two and were beaten 7-2 by Lukko, who picked up their first win of the season.

A penalty shootout defeat to Vaasan Sport on opening night ensured Jokerit had a point on the board, but they were never in the match in Rauma, as the home side took a first-period lead through Heikki Liedes, then proceeded to score another four without reply in the second period, as Alex Beaucage and Santeri Virtanen both scored and assisted one each.

Felix Robert made it 6-0 in the first minute of the third period, before the Helsinki side grabbed a pair of consolations either side of a seventh for the hosts, who ran out 7-2 victors, with Beaucage leading the game with three points. The match was the perfect tonic for Lukko after their season began with a shutout loss to Ilves.

Only two teams so far have begun their season with successive wins - one of them is TPS Turku for whom Lars Bryggman scored twice in a 5-1 beating of IFK Helsinki, and the other is Pelicans, as Roni Karvinen's late powerplay goal secured a 2-1 win at Kiekko-Espoo.

Jukurit are off the mark for the campaign at the third attempt, as Jesper Myrenberg made 25 saves in a 4-0 shutout success over Sport, who also have one win from three so far. Aaro Vidgren scored a brace for JYP, allowing them to edge Karpat 4-3 in Oulu to win their first game of the season, denying their hosts the chance of joining the two-from-two club.

Follow the new Liiga season on Flashscore.