HIFK is starting to have an almost unreasonable place to clear its way into the semi -finals of the hockey league, says expert Topi Nättinen.
EPN’s hockey round will follow the third semi -final of HIFK and SaiPa, which will be played in Helsinki starting at 4:45 pm
SaiPa has won HIFK twice in the quarterfinals: 4-1 in Helsinki and 2-1 in Lappeenranta at the start of the follow -up.
– HIFK is falling into the inefficiency of the goal. After playing just over six rounds in the quarterfinals, two goals scored are not too little. Saipaka’s goals have not been treated and celebrated, but still scored enough goals, an expert Topi Nättinen says.
The standard voice of the EPN hockey round says that the feared scenario is now being realized, where HIFK’s snacks were already eaten in the regular season when the team had to fight at the extreme with a narrow player – without a clear gameplay red yarn.
– HIFK has been disappointing in these two matches. In the first match, especially after the break, it was perhaps human when the opponent had a sense of play. Of course, the race park is a difficult place when SaiPa has a spirit on, but for the better HIFK should be able to.
Statistics on SaiPa’s side
The expert recalls that SaiPa’s 2-0 lead in the series is a big deal.
In the previous 11 playoffs of the hockey league, the 2-0 lead with seven systems (4 wins) has been an indicative factor. Namely, 97.37 % of the alarming has proceeded.
With a total of 38 times in recent years to win a 2-0 victory, only once it has been successful. The only exception was Tappara in the 2017 final after he rose to KalPa after two opening losses to the championship.
-Statistically, it is almost as difficult to rise from 0-2 as 0-3. Of course, HIFK has a home match on Saturday, and the series may well be 2-1 after that.
In Nättinen’s opinion, HIFK is hanging on, but the fact that the people of Helsinki are winning the series is really far away at the moment.
– SaiPa plays with a strong flow. When you play two more of the next three matches in the Kisapuisto Park, this is a virtually uninvited place for HIFK.
In the quad chains the difference
Raimo Helminen The troops have now won five consecutive matches in the playoffs. In the TPS series, SaiPa rose to the top five in the series after a loss of 0-2.
-SaiPa has a clear sequel from the TPS series and the regular season, which is exactly the same as the field is on the ice, so it can play well and at best to solve matches.
On Friday, SaiPa’s four-chain was the resolution of the 2-1 quadpsy Niklas Appelgren (1+1), Eero Klintrup (1+0) and Juuso Heikkilä (0+1).
– When comparing that trio to the opponent’s fourth field – Juhani Jasu, Leo Komarov and Micke-Max Åsten – After all, HIFK has probably spent a few euros more than SaiPa.
-And on Friday, HIFK’s Nelonen was on the ice during both setbacks and compiled a stupid reading of -2 in the power stats, added Nättinen.
Piiroinen at the right time in tune
According to the expert, SaiPa’s strength is in four, balanced fields and three pairs of paint and high quality goalkeepers – just at the most important moments of the season.
In the last five Playoffs games, only five goals have been scored in SaiPa’s net.
– goalkeeper Kari Piiroinen began at the end of the regular season to rob From Michael Hutchinson The number one position. He was given the opportunity to succeed in it and he received a strong credit from coaching.
In the first two quarter -finals, SaiPa’s winnings can be considered fully justified, both in play and statistically.
The goal expectation has gone to the Wonder of East 2.75-1.62 and 3.01-1.59. SaiPa has also been stronger at the start: 32-23 and 27-16.
– SaiPa has really good pieces to succeed. And when you think that the spirit that SaiPa has in South Karelia in the Kisapuisto Park, it is ahead of the light year, if you think about what kind of support HIFK gets, even though it has a full hut in the hall, points out.
The other three semi -final pairs will be on the program on Monday 31.3. Rauma, Tampere and Kuopio.