Seinäjoki Crocodiles edge Helsinki Roosters in Maple League opener

The Seinäjoki Crocodiles (1-0) opened their Finnish Maple League season with a hard-fought 24-17 victory over the Helsinki Roosters (0-1) this past weekend at Wirokit Stadium, overcoming a halftime deficit to secure their first win of the year.

Roosters strike first

The rainy conditions made life difficult for both offenses early, and it took nearly an entire quarter before the scoreboard moved. Helsinki quarterback Ambro Urjansson finally broke through with a short touchdown run late in the opening period to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

The Crocodiles answered in the second quarter when Arttu Blomqvist found the end zone, but a missed extra point left Seinäjoki trailing. The Roosters continued to take advantage of their success throwing downfield and extended the lead with a touchdown from Artturi Tähkäpää.

Alex Jämsen responded with a touchdown for the Crocodiles, but another missed extra point sent the teams into halftime with Helsinki holding a 14-12 advantage.

Crocodiles take control

The momentum shifted after the break. American receiver Maurico Porcha recorded his first Maple League touchdown, giving Seinäjoki its first lead of the evening at 18-14.

Quarterback CJ Fowler added another crucial score with a strong touchdown run, stretching the advantage to 24-14 and putting the home side in control.

While the Roosters continued to battle, the Crocodiles defense tightened up when it mattered most.

Late push falls short

Helsinki made one final push in the fourth quarter. Maxim Karila helped move the offense deep into scoring territory and the visitors reached the doorstep of the end zone before a costly personal foul pushed them backward.

Unable to finish the drive with a touchdown, the Roosters settled for a field goal from Lauri Hautala to cut the deficit to 24-17.

That would be as close as they would get.

Blomqvist finished with more than 100 rushing yards, while Jämsen, Porcha, Charles Akanno and Saidou Jallow all contributed key plays for the Seinäjoki Crocodiles. Arttu Tapola earned recognition as the game’s most convincing player after helping contain Sidney Gibbs and the Helsinki Roosters rushing attack.

For Seinäjoki, it was an opening-night victory. For Helsinki, it was a competitive performance that ultimately came up one score short.