Expert ponders what was going through the Pelicans defender’s head: “The whole series could have come down to it” | Sport

‘s expert Topi Nättinen picked up the most important points of the third SC ice hockey final played in Tampere.

‘s expert Top Nättinen tells the three most significant things that emerged from the third final of the ice hockey SM league.

1) In terms of gameplay, one of the best finals of recent years

– The courage, freshness, energy and activity of the match were well on display all the time, as both teams saw opportunities in these matters. Still, the level of the game remained high, didn’t it go to push.

According to the expert, both Tappara and the Pelicans are used to playing bravely throughout the season, but in the third final they got the best possible sample of it.

– The playing of both was tuned to the extreme, it was great to watch when the skill came to the fore. We saw chains of passes, quick turns of the game and long attacks. Even in such high stakes, even in the first overtime, the open and courageous play continued, and it was not a carefree scrimmage, Nättinen admires.

2) Christian Heljanko

Pelicans defenseman Saku Salminen a shout behind the goal Tappara’s goalkeeper Christian Heljankoo was close to spoiling the Lahti team’s entire final series.

– I’ve probably never seen a goalkeeper overrun like that – at least on the spot. No evasive movement, no attempt to slow down, he even lifts his body up a bit and tries to tackle the goalkeeper. I don’t know what was going through his head. However, the player history is not that of the agitator and he is a former Tappara player. Salminen did see that Heljanko stopped the puck and set it in motion, Nättinen wonders.

However, Tappara was unable to take advantage of Salminen’s 5+20 minute penalty in 45.24.

– Unfathomable confusion from Salmi, the whole series could have fallen to it. Fortunately, Heljanko was not injured in the situation.

The double save from Heljango in the first overtime was at least the most amazing save of this spring, according to the expert.

– Heljanko is an exceptional goalkeeper. Salminen Taklaus could have worn someone down both physically and mentally, but he only came back to the game even stronger. He still gave his team a chance to win, and couldn’t do anything for the winning goal. In that case, the goalkeeper had a really bad time with the pass to the goal, and the shot directly from the pass hit the top shelf, the expert describes.

3) Pelicans spearhead Lasch – Carlsson

– Played a great match Ryan Lasch twice offered the place for Patrik Carlsson. The solution finally came from another situation. Lasch and the Pelicans’ first line, which kept this series alive, must be praised. They created a dangerous offensive game all the time and were on top of the game, praises the puck expert.

Other Pelicans chain changes did not bring width in the form of points. Miika Roine and Jesse Kiiskinen rose to the formation in the triple field Konsta Hirvonen alongside. Those who performed poorly in the playoffs Aatu Jämsen and Elias Vilen were in the stands, like the defense Ben Blood.

– Even though there was no power, it still felt that the Pelicans’ offensive play was more active and braver. However, the chain changes had some effect on the gameplay.

– Pelicans’ spearhead, leading individuals did their job in important moments. I can only imagine how Carlsson feels when he settles for the third final after that missed open.

While Lahti’s golden helmet Lasch took his team on his backpack on Wednesday, Tappara’s golden cup Anton Levtchi needs six consecutive matches in a scoreless streak. Ketju Levtchi–Otto Somppi–Carter Camper was in the red in the power statistics. Levtchi was also cold in the previous, second final, which Tappara won 3–2 in Lahti.