LIVESTREAM FINLAND AFI tv: Porvoo Butchers @ Helsinki Roosters, July 7th, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 ET)

Two teams with playoff aspirations meet for this Thursday night Maple League matchup in Finland’s capital city of Helsinki.

The Porvoo Butchers make the short drive to Helsinki to take on the Roosters in the Velodrome. Both teams need this win as currently, the Maple league’s playoff race features three teams vying for the two last spots as both the Butchers and Wolverines sit at 3-2 while the Roosters are 3-3. 

The Porvoo Butchers (3-2) come into this week feeling confident that they can make the post-season. Quarterback Brandon Gwinner has been playing well. The dual-threat passer has been able to move the ball well down the field finding receiver Mikko Seppanen often. If Gwinner has time in the pocket today, he may be able to keep the Butchers in the game against an experienced Roosters team. Last week, Gwinner ran and passed for over 100 yards and scored four touchdowns. He’ll need another big game today if the Butchers are to leave Helsinki victorious. 

Porvoo Butchers @ Helsinki Roosters, July 7th, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 ET)

Defensively, veteran Timi Nuikka and the rest of the Butchers will have their hands full against an inefficient Roosters offense. If the Butcher’s defensive line can create some havoc, they could pull off the upset and help their playoff positioning. 

The Roosters won last week moving their record to 3-3. In that game, quarterback Bryce Stancomb threw for three touchdowns. French import Aymeric Nicault remains Stancomb’s go to guy. In total, the Roosters rushed for 179 yards on the day using a stable of backs. Aymeric Nicault. 

Defensively, homegrown defensive lineman Christer Berg has played well for the Roosters this season. Linebacker Taavi Aronpaa is also an impact player at Helsinki’s second level. In the secondary, Emory Polley and Nolan Bernat hope to get their hands on any errant passes as the Butchers have been airing it out to make big plays all season

This game could be vital as both teams have their eyes glued on the postseason. Neither of these two teams want to be the odd one out come the playoffs. The Roosters at 3-3 currently would be out of post-season play, so they need this win badly if they want to make the post-season. 

Watch the game live here. Porvoo Butchers @ Helsinki Roosters, July 7th, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 ET)