Joel Armia was kept off the scoresheet Saturday as Assat edged Saipa 2-1 to win the preseason tournament in Hämeenlinna. Assat was dominated throughout, registering just eight shots on goal for the entire game, but was able to capitalize on opportunities to eek out the win.Armia shuttled in from his military conscript to join the club for the pair of games. He went without a point while playing his usual right side on a line with Mika Niemi and former New Jersey Devil Tuomas Pihlman. Assat returns to action next week versus Vaxjo.
In Sweden, Linus Ullmark is starting to see action as the MODO J20 squad has gotten their exhibition schedule underway. The 6'3 netminder began in style Tuesday, stopping all 25 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over Timra.
The J20's traveled south to Gimo over the weekend to continue their preseason rounds with Friday-Sunday games. After MODO opened with a 5-3 win over Brynas on Friday, Ullmark started the next night as MODO dropped a 2-1 decision to Leksand. The J20's close the trip on Sunday with a game against Vasteras before heading home for a Thursday game in Ornskoldsvik.
