HPK beats Ilves U20 4–2 after four-goal opening salvo at Hakametsä

Ilves reports HPK defeated Ilves 4–2 in an U20 match at Hakametsä on Friday. The loss follows the team's 6–2 derby win over Tappara earlier this week after the derby victory, and comes after HPK had beaten them 3–1 in Hämeenlinna on Oct. 16 in an earlier meeting.

The game exploded early. The hosts opened after just 23 seconds through Miska Liljeberg, but four goals followed inside the first ten minutes as the sides exchanged leads. Veikka Fagerström equalised at 6:19, Frans Viita put the home side ahead again a minute later, and Elmeri Laamanen finished a breakaway at 10:36 to give the visitors a 3–2 lead that held until the third period. Valtteri Viitaluoma stretched HPK’s advantage to 4–2 at 48:43, and a late empty-net push came up short.

Goaltender Justus Vuorinen faced heavy work. Kauppi Sports Center named him the team's 'hungriest player' after the match. He said the side lacked the same charge it showed against Tappara on Wednesday and called his own performance 'acceptable', adding his confidence has grown after a difficult start to the season.

They have a week to recover before a home clash with Tappara at Hakametsä next Friday, October 30, at 18:15.