Tappara was stronger in the opening final with 3–1 goals. Tappara’s Veli-Matti Savinainen admired Olli Juolevi’s pass.
follows the SM league finals moment by moment on its website. The Hockey Tour broadcasts every league final live. All finals will be heard live at Areena, the third final also on Radio Suomen’s soundwaves. The preliminary studios of the ice hockey round can be enjoyed in video form for the first time in the finals.
TAMPERE. The finals of the Ice Hockey Championship League started in Tampere as usual under the command of Tappara.
Tappara dulled the Pelicans with 3–1 goals. Tappara’s goalkeeper Christian Heljangon the tie was broken just five seconds before the final buzzer Lubos Horkyn to the finish line.
The crumbling draw did not faze Heljanko.
– It wasn’t necessary today. Let’s take it sometime, when the situation is more tense. There was no racket and the guy was able to surprise. Here, the result is exactly the same, as long as we got a mortgage, Heljanko told Urheilu.
Tappara was really strong at the beginning of the match. The home team went into the first break with a 2–0 lead. According to Heljango, the meaning of the start was discussed before the start of the match.
– We talked about not going to watch, but to set the pace of the game. In the previous two series, we were on our toes at the beginning of the game, and the Pelicans, on the other hand, led both series 3–0. At the very least, we wanted to poke fun at them.
In the final match, emotions did not boil over. The conker who hit Tappara’s third goal Brother Matti Savinainen thought it was due to the long week break.
– It was certainly not the best performance from either team, both skillfully and physically or emotionally.
– However, a week’s break from games, which is surprisingly long at this stage of spring. It certainly showed in both teams. Let’s go with what the leaders decide. It doesn’t help to cry in the market, so to speak.
Savinainen’s 3–0 hit practically decided the match for Tappara. The finish was beautiful to watch: Olli Juolevi passed phenomenally to Kontiola, who continued to Savinainen.
– Juolevi surprised everyone on the field and the 12,000-strong audience by passing, not by shooting.
– Usually, when Kontiola has the puck, you have to be ready to finish. You have to wait until the end for the pass, but it usually comes, Savinainen continued.
Pelicans head coach Tommi Niemelä regretted Lahti’s weak opening set. There was also room for improvement in goal-scoring support
– Yes, there are very clear things that we need to do better. We had a lot of good situations where we broke through the middle and got the puck where we wanted, but we were on the sidelines. When there was a blanket in front, we didn’t play to the sides, Niemelä summed up.
The Pelicans offense seemed to have plenty Patrik Carlsson, Ryan Laschin and by Lars Bryggman in reserve. Niemelä is not worried about whether the Pelicans have enough width.
– Today they scored three goals and sometimes it happens that way. Their offensive game in the offensive zone was insanely good and they have been able to cause difficult situations for the opponent in every game.
However, Niemelä also spoke about the defensive playing of the top chain.
– You have to remember that after long attacks you should also be able to defend. Now I made a mistake when I was tired and that shouldn’t happen against a team like this, Niemelä stated.