Erik "Eki" Tamenpää captured his sixth NHL European Championship
Two players reigning from Finland and best friends, Teemu "Temppanen" Karvonen - representing the Anaheim Ducks - and Erik "Eki" Tamenpää - representing the New York Islanders - faced off for the NHL 24 European Championship.
The two faced off in the European Finals last year in NHL 23, with Eki taking the series 2-1 in exciting fashion with an overtime winner in game three.
Temppanen played against Niklas "NikkeDangles" Tukiainen in the first semifinal matchup of the day. He won their series 2-1. Eki took on Henrik "Eken45jr" Eklund, and their series needed three games too, with Eki taking it 2-1.
NikkeDangles and Eken take home $2,000 USD for their third and fourth-place finishes.
Now, it was time for the NHL 24 European Finals.
Temppanen scored immediately into game one, but Eki didn't let that affect him, as he scored four unanswered to take game one of the EU Finals 4-1. Eki really controlled the majority of the game. Temppanen struggled with Eki's cycle game and could not generate much offense.
Temppanen needed to rebound in game two to avoid elimination. Eki came into this weekend saying that he feels his game is the best it has been in a few years, and it showed as he dominated game two, winning it 6-0 and taking home his sixth NHL European Championship.
When commentator Anthony "GrizGoal" Scibilia asked Eki how it sounds being a six-time European Champion and advancing to another World Championship, he responded with, "Incredible, I got a moment to think about there in the final game, but it's just unbelievable."
Eki takes home $15,000 USD with his victory. Cameron "NoSleeves" Halbert asked Eki what he plans to spend the money on, "Well, as most of you know, we have a baby on the way, so that will probably limit the bank account a bit," he said with a laugh.
Eki took to his Twitter on Mar. 10, announcing that he and his girlfriend are expecting a child in the future.
Right before his semifinal matchup, Eki was gifted a New York Islanders toddler jersey with his name on the back of it and the No. 1.
NoSleeves asked him if he feels any different going to the World Championship this year compared to last year, "I think last year, I was really scraping through the European Region, I could have easily not made the World Finals. I think second place in the World Finals last year felt like the maximum my gameplay level had in it."
"I feel like this year I have a chance to win it all, I just need to stay focused, and play the same as I have."
The vibe between Eki and Temppanen as they sat 2-3 feet from each other was unlike anything you'd expect. They both looked relaxed, laughing with one another whenever there was a stoppage in play, and just looked like two good buddies playing NHL for fun.
Eki revealed after their series that he and Temppanen made a friendly little bet that whoever won would have to buy drinks for the night. He followed up saying "Obviously massive stakes still on the line but I think the biggest relief for both of us was making it to the World Finals."
Temppanen earned himself $4,000 USD and a ticket to the NHL 24 World Championship with his second place finish.
Eki's victory here at the European Championship also advances him straight to the semifinals of the NHL 24 World Championship, which is being held in New York on Apr. 7.
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