The date had surprised some players and they needed to change their holiday plans to be able to play the game. Despite some absences, Tornado managed to collect enough quality to their rosters.
For the first 10 minutes, Tours controlled the game while Tornado was trying to get rid of their "bus legs". Even though the team managed some good preparation, the start is always hard after spending 8 hours in a bus. After 10 minutes of play Tours’ best scorer Mattis Boisse took a penalty and Tornado had a change on power play. In the beginning of the powerplay Tornado's efficient first line could put good pressure on Tours’ zone, without succeeding to score though. After that it was Tornado's second line’s turn to try. They also got the puck to the offensive zone and, after setting up, Ossi Uotila took the puck behind the net. He surprised both the opponents and own teammates with his no-look pass to the front of the net and Teemu Hinkula luckily managed to react first and shoot the puck into the net between goalie's legs. 1-0 for Tornado. Unluckily, less than one minute after the goal, Tours managed to tie the game and the first period ended 1-1 on the scoreboard.
The team, and especially Vesa Hirvonen, responsed on Fical’s challenge in positive way. Hirvonen did what he should do more often, the Flying Finn gained speed from his own zone and in the end of the coast-to-coast skating he shot the puck unbeatably to the top corner of Tours’ net. This gave a boost for Tornado and they took the full control of the game and scored two more goals within a couple of minutes (scorers were Uotila and Hinkula). In one point Tours managed to score their 2nd goal on powerplay but, despite that, the game was under Tornado’s control and the second period ended 4-2 for Tornado.
In the third period, Tours got many chanches to try their power play. Tornado has been fine-tuning their penalty killing and, with help of Gilles Mangen on the net, they managed to kill the penalties. Five minutes before the end, the frustration of Tours realised two penalties and Tornado got the chance to show their power play skills. First Teemu Hinkula shot his third goal of the game from Steven Minden’s clever pass on 5 against 3, and only one minute later, Shorty Muller decked Tours’ goalkeeper and the game was 6-2 to Tornado.
After the end of the game, one of the Tours’ players showed his frustration and shot the puck towards celebrating Tornado players. That was too much for coach Fical who ordered his men immediately to the dressing room. The happenings of the game left lot of tension but hopefully in Luxembourg Tornado can just focus on playing on the ice.
The second game between Tornado and Tours will be played on Saturday 10 March in Kockelscheuer. Even though things look good now, everything can happen in ice hockey. The team needs to be focused and stay committed to its system.