Tappara and Ilves have not been in medal games at the same time for 21 years. The realization of the Tampere dream required waking up. The rise of the lynx dates back to 2017, last spring in Tappara, writes Sport’s news manager Pekka Aalto.
8.4. 14:31 • Updated 8.4. 14:33
Both Tampere clubs will play in the semi-finals of the Finnish Championship for the first time since 2001. On Saturday, a completely new world will open up for the younger supporters of Ilves. They’ve only heard stories of the days of the greatness of the club and seen endless rampage, but now get to witness the medal games themselves.
On Wednesday, the dam of the decade erupted in the Tampere arena when Petri Kontiola slammed the puck into the top corner of the Fly goal. Those who have been there will surely remember the moment forever.
The lynx has been flying in the trough, auditorium and some for some time. Now the hype turned to flesh.
Friends of the noble game
The new arrival of the lynx began more than five years ago. Long-term majority owner Vincent Manngard gave way on February 7, 2017, which is at least as big a day in the history of the club as on April 6, 2022.
It took on a bow Risto Jalo, who had been rescuing Ilves since 1999. At that time, the madness had led to serious financial difficulties. Five years ago, the situation was even more precarious, but with the change of ownership, the share issue and the return of Jalo, who became CEO, the hope of the Ilves people arose.
On the ice, the sled turned amazingly fast, as in the spring 2017 semifinals, Ilves was about to hit Tappara’s board. The ax camp finally celebrated the victory of the match series 4–3 and progressed to the championship.
Since that spring, however, it has been clear that Ilves will return to the top battle of the Finnish Championship. If not sooner, then later.
One of Jalo’s best salaries along the way has been a sports boss Timo Koskelawhich joined the strap in 2018. In general, Ilves is considerably more professional.
Without the effect of the corona, Ilves’ return to medal games might have been seen before through this, but it doesn’t matter much anymore. The Ilves people are living their dreams here and now.
The funny detail is that in the crucial game, Ilves ’goals struck Henrik Haapala and Petri Kontiola, who used to twinkle as the stars of Tappara.
Through Tappara, Kontiola became an international center and Haapala won the points exchange and two championships in the ax shirt. The latter finished Tappara’s championship goal for the 2016 HIFK network.
Many assumed that if the duo ever returned to Tampere, they would find a home in Tappara’s booth. It happened differently.
Kontiola’s Ilves contract, which excelled at HPK, was published at the end of last season.
At the end of the KHL Joker Journey, Tappara chose Otto Leskinen and Brother-Matti Savinainen and ignored Haapala. It is a bad thing to blame for the decision, Leskinen and Savinainen have played so well recently.
However, it is certain that Haapala and Kontiola’s motivation is in the tap on the Ilves shirt.
The blood of the solver flows in the veins of both, just like the CEO of the club. Jalo returned to the trough in the 1985 finals and riveted TPS in the fifth attempt. Now Kontiola and Haapala were injured against Kärppi, but returned and took on the role of hero.
Tampereen Brind’Amour
The lynx dna is much the same as Tappara a few years ago. Tactical cords are drawn Marko Ojanen, who worked for a long time in coaching Tappara. Ilves defends the center to the last, maltts to wait for his opportunities and strikes effectively.
Commander of the Lynx Jouko Myrrä draws from a Killer tradition with a focus on work.
The former Tappara juni resembles the pilot of the NHL club Carolina Rod Brind’Amouria. At the gym, the head coach can show if the iron is being told who to tell if necessary. In his comments, Myrrä is brutally honest and does not go behind anyone’s back. He has a genuine appreciation for his players.
The storm has been a thorn in Tappara’s flesh in recent years. During his time as head coach, Ilves has won games 12–4 against Tappara. It took Tappara ten games to beat Myrrän Ilves in regular time.
In some matches, Tappara, who has now historically played nine times in the tube for medals, has looked like a crowd of fools against Ilves. It is only in recent games that Tappara has realized that it is not worth carrying light in with a sack.
I argue that one of the main single reasons for Tappara’s incomprehensible pipe of success is the new rise of a local competitor. Without the pressure from Ilves, Tappara would hardly be at its current level.
Tappara does not want to give a scepter to Ilves, as it may take a long time to get it back. You can even ask the Ilves camp how hard it is to hit the city’s number one on the board. So far, Ilves has been able to do so in mutual games, but not in the final table or playoffs.
Both teams came to the right conclusions from the Lukko series a year ago. The people of Rauma played sports first to overthrow Ilves and then Tappara. It was a necessary revival for the people of Tampere, who are no longer left in anyone’s feet in physics.
In the Tappara camp, the change of rhythm was underlined by a change of captain. Jukka Peltola changed Otto to Rauhala. It was not that the skipper of the championship, Peltola, had done his job badly. On the contrary, he was Tappara’s best field player in last season’s playoffs.
The change was a double master pilot Jussi Tapolan a signal to the team and especially to its younger guard. For success to continue, the group needs new responsibilities. This bet was stirring, but the results speak for themselves.
Tappara has been better at best than years and winning at worst.
136 percent power
In the comparison of the people of Tampere, Tappara has one incomparable strength compared to Ilves. The ax group’s special situations were steel against Lock. The underpower was 100% and the overpower rotated over 36 surface power. The total number was a plush 136, when Ilves only reached 85.
In the regular season, the difference was much smaller, but Tappara has been closer than Ilve, especially with underpower.
Above all, the lynx rages with a wild spirit and a devilish way of playing that produces the most even.
In the semi-finals, Tappara will face KooKoo and Ilves TPS. Tappara’s stumbling blocks can be the pressure of a favorite and the opponent’s top-notch goalkeeper Nick Malik. Defeating the flies will relax Ilves to the point that TPS is expected to crash. The lynx has a famous momentum.
Kai a journalist from Tampere can also hope for the dream finale of Tappara and Ilves. At least on my own once in a lifetime list.