“Insolent confidence in the locker room” – the captains of the SM league told who are the players of the spring and why their team is successful

In the 1st round of the SC league playoffs, Kärpät and KooKoo and Ässät and TPS meet. Puhe Ice Hockey Tour on Monday 13.3. at 18.15 and on Tuesday 14.3. at 6:15 p.m.

The six best teams of the regular season of the SM league are allowed to recharge in peace at the beginning of the quarterfinals, while the teams that have reached places 7–10 play the 1st round of the playoffs.

We asked the captains of the top six in the regular season and some of the coaches three questions:
1. Who is your team’s spring player?
2. Refereeing always speaks when moving from the regular season to the playoffs. Would it be good if the same pair of head referees refereed the entire series of playoff matches?
3. Why does your team go far in the spring?

Lock–HIFK

The teams that finished 3–6 in the regular season already know their opponents in the quarterfinals.

Marko Virtanen led Luko to third place in the regular season, while the previous season’s ranking was tenth. Last spring, Lukko beat HPK in the 1st round of the playoffs, but in the quarterfinals, Tappara was in a class of its own.

Now Lukko will face sixth-placed HIFK, which has had a rare two-part season.

Ville Peltonen The team from Helsinki, led by Last season, HIFK was fifth in the regular season and lost to TPS in the quarterfinals.

Marko Virtanen, Luko’s head coach

Spring player?
– Everyone has to succeed now. It’s quite clear. It’s silly in itself to start naming one name, but everyone knows that the goalkeeper is the most important player in the team, ie Artyom Zagidul.

Zagidulin’s goals scored average of 1.84 was the second best in the regular season. Only Ilves got ahead Marek Langhamer (1.83).

Same pair of judges or not?
– I feel that there can be a little variation. If things go in the wrong direction, it can easily go in one direction. Change is good.

Why does your team go far in the spring?
– An active, united team.

Teemu Tallberg, HIFK captain

Spring player?
– from Iiro Pakari I would follow. Has raised his level all season. It will be a tight and physical series, Pakarinen will do well in that game.

In the regular season, the 31-year-old Pakarinen was the fourth most efficient player on HIFK’s internal stock market with 19+17=36. Last winter, he won the Olympic gold in the Lions’ team.

Same pair of judges or not?
– Whatever. The judges do their own work, we do ours. Does not matter.

Why does your team go far in the spring?
– The story of our entire season and how we as a team have moved forward and developed. We want to improve our game day by day. We have a good story, we just need a good ending.

Anrei Hakulinen, Luko’s captain

Spring player?
– Antti Saarela. Strong, young, hard shot, will wreak havoc in the spring.

21-year-old Saarela returned to Lukko for this season after playing three seasons in Ilves. In the main series, the results were 7+11=18.

Same pair of judges or not?
– It doesn’t matter if they change. There should be the same rules. Shouldn’t settle for that.

Why does your team go far in the spring?
– We have a really positive, happy and a little cheeky self-confidence in the locker room. It’s enough in the spring that we take a pot.

Pelicans–KalPa

Another already known quarter-final pair is the meeting of the big surprises of the season. Before the start of the season, hockey media Jatkoajan in betting arranged for suppliers (you switch to another service) Pelicans were ranked 11th in the regular season and KalPa ranked 13th.

In the previous season, KalPa finished 11th in the regular season, Pelicans ninth. In the 1st round of the playoffs, KooKoo knocked out Lahti.

Now Tommi Niemelä led the Pelicans to fourth, Tommi Miettinen KalPa’s fifth.

Tommi Niemelä, Pelicans head coach

Spring player?
– Usually, the leading players emerge in the spring, so let’s raise the captain Miika Roine.

Roine, 31, is in his first season as Pelicans captain, although he played most of last season with the letter C on his chest Joonas Jalvannin injured.

Same pair of judges or not?
– It is a matter over which I have no influence. Let’s hope that everyone – both the teams and the judges – are in the same boat, to make this the best possible spring.

Why does your team go far in the spring?
– Freshness and open-mindedness, which has been there all season. This is a continuation of that, it’s worth following.

Tommi Miettinen, KalPa’s head coach

Spring player?
– Tuomas Kiiskinenhe has won a lot in his career, a big game player.

Kiiskinen, a 36-year-old KalPa breeder, has won two Swedish championships in Växjö in his career. Returned to KalPa last season after a ten-year hiatus.

Same pair of judges or not?
– There is no clear opinion. We have a lot of good referees in the league.

Why does your team go far in the spring?
– We are a fast team, we play very modern hockey, we want to dominate the games. We have the right mix of youth and experience and a huge hunger for success. It is time for our organization to step forward.

Miika Roine, Pelicans captain

Spring player?
– Lars Bryggman. A big power forward, is strong in front of the goal, a strong fighter. Such players are highlighted in the spring games.

30-year-old Bryggman moved to Pelicans from the Malmö team. In the main series, powers 14+9=23.

Same pair of judges or not?
– It could even be good. They would have a better sense of what has happened. On the other hand, it must not be too influenced by what has happened before. I suddenly saw it, it could be just jeez.

Why does your team go far in the spring?
– We have a top goalkeeper department. We have a lot of firepower on the offensive end and we trust our own work. We can play a high intensity game.

Tuomas Kiiskinen, KalPa

Spring player?
– Well, when you said Swedish, we are also called Swedish, Max Görtz. A player of the same profile. Fighting strength is needed.

The 30-year-old Görtz played the last two seasons in the German DEL league. This season in KalPa, the powers are 11+16=27.

Same pair of judges or not?
– Agree. Pros and cons. It would be good to have the same line, and not need a lottery from game to game.

Why does your team go far in the spring?
– Young and hungry, experienced and tough. Let’s go with that.

Ilves and Tappara – the best of the regular season

The two teams are still waiting for their opponents in the quarterfinals. Those two teams from Tampere, Tappara and Ilves, are also the biggest advance favorites for spring, based on the regular season. The representatives of the Tampere team didn’t exactly set their jaws agape in the playoffs info. Actions speak for themselves?

Eemeli Suomi, captain of Ilves

Spring player?
– You could say many things, but let’s say veskari, Langhamer, if you need to say one.

Czech hammer Marek Langhamer28, was the best goal scorer in the regular season with average goals scored (1.83) and save percentage (92.38).

Same pair of judges or not?
– On the other hand, it could be good if they were the same. On the other hand, it doesn’t hurt, even if it changes. I guess it doesn’t matter that much.

Why does your team go far in the spring?
– We have a well-rounded game. We played a good regular season, but we can improve it a couple of notches.

Patrik Virta, Vice-Captain of Tappara

Spring player?
– Brother Matti Savinainenthe man of spring.

Konkar striker Savinainen, 37, was Tappara’s second best scorer in the regular season (17+27=44) Jori Lehterän after. Savinainen has won World Championship gold and four Finnish championships.

Same pair of judges or not?
– Too bad, I haven’t thought about it. I go play and take care of my own business.

Why does your team go far in the spring?
– We have a great team and great individuals.