Pelicans coach Tommi Niemelä left for the Christmas break with his protégés in a good mood. The team from Lahti took their first away win in Tampere Areena and caused Tappara’s first home defeat in almost two and a half months, 4-2.
– We wanted to improve from the last match (Sport home loss) and we knew that we were facing Finland’s – if not even Europe’s top team. Oli- and especially Alivoima was excellent from us today. We were ahead of the other guy today, praised Niemelä.
In the second period, during its strong period, Tappara came from two goals behind to 2-2, but then cold water was thrown down the necks of the people of Tampere with an underpowered team.
Pelicans’ winning goal was the foundation of the defender who played a great match Ben Bloodwho bravely started to rush the puck with an underpowered start Sakke Hämäläinen 3–2 at the end of the second set.
It is rare to see that a team playing underpowered sneaks into a counterattack with three against one.
– You probably have to ask the players on the ice and also the opponents how it was even possible, Niemelä grinned.
Pelicans have scored the most underpowered goals in the SM league – five.
The bright spot of the early season
In the SM league, Pelicans, who have just passed the semi-finals, are following in the footsteps of last season’s sensational team Jukurei. With the current point average of 1.903 heats, based on the statistics, second place from the regular season.
– We don’t want to be last season’s Jukurs, we are this season’s Pelicans. Above all, we don’t want to think about what someone has been somewhere in the past. From the very beginning, we have focused on our own business and what we rely on, Niemelä says.
Many may also be surprised by the fact that the Pelicans have conceded the second fewest goals in the SM league after Luko. Looking at the list of defenders, this seems like an unfathomably hard trick.
– We want to be a very good attacking team, which precisely controls the flow of the game in the attacking area through attacking play. We already defend well there. When we succeed there, then we don’t have to be on our own for long stretches. Then the defense of one’s own end is also more effective, instructs Niemelä, who is leading the Pelicans coaching in his third season.
Wins or losses are not fleeting
The effective way of playing, which the players have bought perfectly from the coaching, is a significant reason for the Pelicans’ strong union at the beginning of the season. Although more players have been injured at times, that has not been reflected in the level of play, when the replacement players know exactly what is required of them on the rink.
– With us, every guy believes in our story, which we do night after night. The next day we are back in the hall as usual with the same feeling doing the activities according to the plan. Our plan doesn’t change or change for a moment with wins or losses. This is perhaps the biggest thing that has carried us this season.
Against Tappara, the Pelicans’ defenders also showed brave play. The opening goal was scored by the defense pair Petteri Riihinen-Teemu Eronen in a spectacular way. The third goal of the Pelicans was based on Blood’s determined rise with an understrength.
In Lahti, it is of the utmost importance that the players have a safe environment where they can do things boldly, then there will always be successful people on the field.
– All players have permission to attack and try things. It is made possible above all by the fact that our five is tight. If we lose the puck, we are immediately in a good position to take the game tool back for ourselves. When we commit to this, we can try everything, Niemelä emphasizes.
The results don’t guide what the Pelicans do
During the season, the Pelicans have only lost two consecutive games in regular time. This has traditionally been a big metric for successful teams.
– We have been very adamant that the results are not what we see. We emphasize the level of doing and trying. This has resulted in no negative spirals from the loss. On the other hand, the wins don’t start to lift the spirits too high either. Day by day we strive for better work.
During the season, the Pelicans were not counted among the favorites even in the boldest league estimates. Based on the player budget, the team is middle class in the league, eighth in the series with 2.3 million euros. The Pelicans themselves have set a clear goal already at the start of the season.
– This is a racing series, and our goal is to win it. The team has coldly slapped this goal on the table. We believe that it comes only through doing it, and not so much the results. This way, there is no pressure to play, but we are constantly trying to do a better job in the games, Niemelä points out.