Remember the name Juuso Kopra because you just might hear that name again in the near future. The Finnish goaltender, who just turned 16 six days ago, plays for the Kisa-Eagles’ under-18 team in Finland’s Jr. B Mestis.
On Sunday, Kopra’s team lost to Porin Ässät 5-0. Normally that scoreline would reflect poorly on the losing goaltender, but Kopra made 100 saves on 105 shots in the losing effort. 39 of those saves came in the third period alone.
You’re reading that correctly: One game, 100 saves.
Media reports show that Kopra received a standing ovation in the locker room after the game.
He allowed five goals, but still finished with a .954 save percentage. That would normally seem like a rarity for a goaltender, but get this. Kopra has played thirteen games this year for the Kisa-Eagles and has allowed 72 goals on 843 shots. If you do some quick math, that means he faces 64.8 shots per game. The mental fortitude to put up with that and still take the crease every game is a feat by itself.
U18 #Mestis goalie Juuso Kopra of Kangasala Kisa-Eagles made 100 saves today in an 0-5 loss to Ässät. Has anyone heard of a goalie with more saves in a game in any series? I haven't found any at least in Finland. via @kallekupa #lätkä pic.twitter.com/EkDUriYzWo
— Miika Arponen (@MiikaArponen) December 3, 2017
Kopra’s full, up-to-date statistics this season show he has a 5.50 goals against average, a .915 save percentage, and three wins. Those three wins are the only wins his team has in all 22 of the games they’ve played this season.
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