Sport Vaasa defeated Jokerit 5-4 in a thrilling shootout to open their season. George Diaco emerged as the hero for Sport, scoring two goals during regulation time and the decisive goal in the shootout. Veteran goalie Joni Ortio stole the show with his candid reaction to the post-game media attention, jokingly exclaiming about the unusually large press presence. Ortio’s comment drew laughter from teammates and onlookers. The victory marks a strong start for Sport, while Jokerit will look to rebound from the unexpected loss. The game highlighted Diaco’s offensive prowess and Ortio’s veteran leadership for Sport.