Finland: Porvoon Butchers dominate East City Giants in Maple League mismatch

The Porvoon Butchers (2-0) overwhelmed the East City Giants (0-1) 61-7 at Myllypuro’s ECG Stadion on Thursday, showcasing explosive special teams and a versatile offense to extend their perfect start. Luukas Eerola’s electrifying returns and Nathaniel Robitaille’s three receiving touchdowns highlighted a game where the Butchers scored via offense, defense, and special teams.

Eerola’s early fireworks set tone
Eerola stunned the Giants immediately, returning the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Twelve minutes later, he struck again, hauling in a 62-yard Christian Arrambide pass for his second score. The Giants briefly countered with a 12-play, 67-yard drive capped by Rayna Stewart III’s connection to center Arttu Blomqvist, tying the game 7-7. Blomqvist praised his team’s resilience: “We showed we belong early, but consistency remains our challenge.”

Giants’ promise fades after halftime
East City’s first-half competitiveness dissolved post-break. Stewart, who completed 15 passes for 189 yards, threw four interceptions—two returned for touchdowns by Jalen Todd and Aaro Piispanen. Zach Wright added a 58-yard punt return score, while Todd’s 11.5 tackles anchored Porvoo’s stifling defense. The Giants’ ground game managed just 2.8 yards per carry, and Stewart’s frustration mounted as Porvoo’s pressure intensified.

Arrambide, Robitaille fuel aerial showcase
Shifting from their Week 1 run-heavy approach, the Butchers unleashed Arrambide’s arm. The quarterback threw for 232 yards and four touchdowns, including three to Robitaille, who redeemed his quiet season opener. Arrambide added a rushing score, while backup Jesper Korkalainen saw late reps as Porvoo rotated reserves.

Defensive dominance compounds Giants’ woes
Porvoo’s defense allowed only 14 rushing yards and logged five sacks. Todd’s pick-six and Piispanen’s 45-yard interception return epitomized their aggression, while the unit stifled ECG’s red-zone chances after the first quarter. The Giants’ 10 penalties for 95 yards further undermined their efforts.

Road ahead
The Butchers’ multifaceted attack—now averaging 52 points per game—establishes them as title contenders. For ECG, Stewart’s turnovers and second-half execution issues demand urgent fixes. Blomqvist’s standout performance offers hope, but minimizing errors remains critical as they prepare to host the Helsinki Steelers next week. Porvoo, meanwhile, eyes a 3-0 start against the Turku Trojans, riding momentum from a complete team effort.