Crocodiles rally past Steelers to reach fifth straight Maple Bowl

The Seinäjoki Crocodiles punched their ticket to a fifth consecutive Maple Bowl Friday night, rallying past the Kuopio Steelers 20-14 in a hard-fought Maple League semifinal at Väinölänniemi in Kuopio.

The Steelers led 8-7 at halftime and carried a 14-7 advantage into the fourth quarter behind four field goals from Iiro Pekkarinen and a safety. But the Crocodiles finally broke through, scoring twice in the final period to grab the lead and then slamming the door with their defense.

Pekkarinen keeps Steelers in front

Playing without suspended star running back Joshua Mack, the Steelers struggled to get their ground game moving and finished with just 55 rushing yards.

Pekkarinen made sure they still put points on the board. He drilled field goals from 51 and 50 yards in the second quarter, while the Kuopio defense added a safety when Lars Steffen dropped Aatu Tuokko for a three-yard loss in the end zone.

The Crocodiles answered just before halftime. Christopher Fowler found Maurico Porcha for a 10-yard touchdown with 14 seconds remaining, cutting the Steelers’ lead to 8-7.

Pekkarinen kept delivering after the break, connecting from 35 and 43 yards to stretch the advantage to 14-7.

Crocodiles strike in the fourth

With their season on the line, the Crocodiles came alive.

Fowler connected with Aleksi Peltokangas for a 26-yard touchdown with 8:52 remaining, pulling Seinäjoki back into the game. The defense then intercepted Slade Jarman, and the Crocodiles turned the takeaway into the go-ahead score.

Porcha finished the job, powering up the middle from two yards out with 5:57 remaining to put Seinäjoki ahead 20-14.

Porcha carried 27 times for 138 yards and a touchdown and added five catches for 44 yards and another score. Fowler completed 17 of 36 passes for 182 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Crocodiles defense finishes the job

The Steelers had chances to answer, but the Seinäjoki defense wouldn’t let them into the end zone.

Jarman completed 16 of 38 passes for 261 yards but threw two interceptions. Arttu Tapola and Aatu Tuokko came up with the picks, while Saidou Jallow, Charles Akanno and Kevin Pointer helped keep Kuopio out of the end zone.

Daniel Rubinstein led the Steelers in receiving yards with 75 on two catches, while Isaak Marshall caught a team-high seven passes for 60 yards.

The victory sends the Crocodiles to the Maple Bowl for the fifth straight season. Seinäjoki has fallen short in each of its previous four championship appearances and will now get another chance to capture its first Finnish title since 2001.

Its opponent will come from Saturday’s semifinal between the Porvoon Butchers and Helsinki Roosters at Porvoo Central Field.