Karri Ramo again served as backup goaltender as Team USA knocked off Finland 3-2 in the World Championships quarterfinals. Janne Niskala was -1 with 5 shots on goal in 21:59 for the Finns.
Karri Ramo again served as backup goaltender as Team USA knocked off Finland 3-2 in the World Championships quarterfinals. Janne Niskala was -1 with 5 shots on goal in 21:59 for the Finns.
After successfully eliminating top flight Lightning prospect Johan Harju and Lulea, Elitserien power moved on to face HV 71 in the semifinals in a clash of league titans. Unfortunately, Janne Niskala and Frolunda weren't quite up to the task...
3/11:
Janne Niskala had 2 goals and 2 assists, all on the power play, as Frolunda put Lulea on the brink of elimination defeating the upstarts 5-1. Frolunda took a 3-1 series lead with the victory. Johan Harju was scoreless in the match.
3/12:
Lulea's season ended with a nailbiting 1-0 loss to Frolunda. Janne Niskala and Johan Harju were scoreless in the match.
Harju ends his playoffs with 4 goals and 5 points in 5 games. The power forward was also -2 and 48% on draws. Niskala's 4 point game in Game Four was all of his scoring in the five game series. The defenseman was also -2 in the series.
Despite yet another power play goal by Johan Harju, Lulea fell apart in the third period in a 5-1 Game Three loss to Frolunda. Lulea is now down 2-1 in the opening round playoff series. Harju also set up a breakaway in the third period with his club down 3-1, but former NHLer Lubos Bartecko was unable to convert for Lulea. Defenseman Janne Niskala took a third period interference penalty in the match for Frolunda.
Harju is tied for the lead in playoff scoring with 5 points in 3 games, and tied for the league best in playoff goals with 4. All of Harju's goals have come with the man advantage.