Tappara Tampere defeated Bílí Tygři Liberec 6-3 in regulation in the Champions Hockey League, seizing control in the second period and answering every Liberec push. Aapeli Räsänen led the way with a hat trick.
Räsänen opened at minute 2 with Joachim Blichfeld assisting, but Radan Lenc tied it for Liberec at minute 16 from Jakub Rychlovsky. Tappara took the lead for good in the second period: Räsänen struck again at minute 30 and Vilho Vanhatalo made it 3-1 at minute 37, both assisted by Benjamin Rautiainen. Liberec pulled within one at 44 through Martin Fasko-Rudas, but Tappara answered with goals from Oliver Suvanto at 47, Niclas Almari at 48 and Räsänen at 53 to close out the 6-3 win.
Räsänen's hat trick — scored at minutes 2, 30 and 53 — was the standout performance, with Blichfeld assisting twice. Tappara outscored Liberec 5-2 after the opening period and never trailed once Räsänen's second goal put them ahead.