Ismo Lehkonen, who confesses to be a fan of Ilves’ style of play, believes that the people of Tampere trust that the Pelicans will tire over time.
Tampere’s Ilves didn’t give Lahti’s Pelicans the lead, at least physically, in the semi-finals of the Ice Hockey Championship League, when they won the match 3–2 in overtime with their hard tempo hockey.
The Pelicans already have more of a load, as they faced KalPa in the quarterfinals of a seven-game series. Ilves, on the other hand, made it to the next round in five games.
Sports expert Ismo Lehkonen not surprised by Ilves’ way of approaching the match. Ilves didn’t give Pelicans time to move the puck.
– I’m not surprised that they choose that kind of approach, i.e. enormous pressure. They treated the match as a skating game, fought very hard and twisted near the wings, Lehkonen said on the Ice Hockey Tour.
– Ilves made a lot of clean contacts whenever there was space and they kept up a fast tempo. They are counting on the Pelicans to fall off, but it didn’t happen that way.
Lehkonen has confessed to being a fan of Ilves’ way of playing. According to him, the playing looked really good this time too, except for the finishing. The expert was surprised how the Pelicans were able to accept Ilves’ challenge.
– Pelicans surprised with their tenacity and playing courage. They weren’t in much trouble, but Ilves calculates that seven games and a short preparation time for Saturday’s game must show quite a bit if they continue in the same way.
Pelicans miss Eros
Pelicans star defender who scored more than 30 points in the regular season Teemu Eronen was sidelined for the match. According to Lehkonen, the Pelicans would definitely need Eros to help against the pressing Ilves.
– In the attack area, Eronen is an artist and it is difficult to read his movements. He can find where to hit. There is Lukas Jasekia and Iikka Kangasniemea, who are able to provide assists. It requires an exceptional defender who dares to peek, says Lehkonen.
For the one who struck in the first period of the Pelicans’ 2-2 tie Topias for Vilén it was okay that there wasn’t much träpp farming in the first game.
– You have to be ready to fight. It was a tough demand, but we can meet it, Vilén said about the series.
– We have to be more efficient in the goal posts and tougher in our own. Get the first blow hard, he hacked.
Away games don’t hurt
The captain of the lynx Eemeli Finland reminded that the attachment was only the first. However, according to him, it is good to go into Saturday’s match with a win.
– The series is at the beginning and this is only the first attachment. Now we are already heading towards Saturday, Suomi stated.
The semifinal series exceptionally starts with two away matches, because there are concerts in the Tampere arena. According to Suomen, the issue has not been thought through in the Ilves booth.
– A couple of matches here, we’ll spend the night there and longer at home. It doesn’t hurt that way.
Need something changed for Saturday?
– Yes, we are going through something, the taciturn Suomi stated.