Kiekko-Espoo is a victory away from the women’s hockey league championship. Kiekko-Espoo escaped from HIFK in the second installment.
18.4. 16: 59 • Updated April 18. 17:14
Hockey-Espoo has a chance to win the Women’s Ice Hockey Championship at home on Wednesday.
Kiekko-Espoo won the Helsinki IFK 6–2 in the second final match on Monday and leads the match series 2–0.
HIFK was well involved in the first set and scored. Kiekko-Espoo still took the first break in the 1–0 lead when Kiira Yrjönen shot the puck to the finish line with force.
In the second set, HIFK had a chance to equalize, but the puck did not go any closer to the finish line. Kiekko-Espoo goalkeeper Tiia Pajarinen took booths one after another.
When HIFK struggled with the goal, Kiekko-Espoo quickly escaped into the 4-0 lead. Nelli Laitinen, Emilia Vesa and Tinja Haukijärvi silenced the HIFK fans.
– Puck-Espoo scored three goals, even though we had the puck. Yes, this match series is still reversible. A couple of goals in the 3rd round create confidence in the future of HIFK Julia Liikala tells Sport.
In the third set, HIFK overtook Pajarinen for the first time in the final series. Siiri Yrjölän kuti changed direction from the defense of Kiekko-Espoo and went to the finish line between Pajarinen’s mattresses. At the end of the match, HIFK’s number one center Michaela Pejzlova succeeded in striking the upper corner of the napkin with a tissue.
Pajarinen rejected in the match 35 times, Kuusela 33.
Sports Expert Annina Rajahuhta believes HIFK will be better against the back wall on Wednesday.
– Kiekko-Espoo has been insanely efficient. HIFK has not been able to do that. Kiekko-Espoo is a really experienced team. I think Wednesday’s game will be the toughest, Sport’s expert Annina Rajahuhta says.
Kiekko-Espoo is a long-time success in the Women’s League. HIFK will play in the finals for the first time.