Tappara and KooKoo’s first semi-final match started with a surprise when Petteri Nikkilä decided the match for the away team KooKoo.
8.4. 21:23 • Updated 8.4. 22:10
Kouvola’s KooKoo started the semifinals against Tappara in the Finnish Ice Hockey League on Friday with a big surprise. KooKoo won first place in the regular season in Tampere with goals 4–3.
The match was settled in the 1st extra round Petteri Nikkilän with a violent heat that sank directly into the top corner. The solution was born in 69.21.
– This was the best thing about this series. KooKoon was forced to hit the beginning of the series. This was a very awesome match, Sports Expert Topi Nättinen said after the match.
KooKoo started in the semi-finals as a big underdog. Now it leads the series from 1 to 0. The teams will meet in Kouvola on Saturday.
– This makes Tappara think. Tappara now realized that this was not to be walked on. The victory gives KooKoo a lot of faith, Nättinen underlines.
This is how the match progressed
Tappara got a great start to the match.
Joona Luoto opened the finals of the semi-finals after just over six minutes of play. 44 seconds later Mikael Seppälä hit 2-0. A hard start for a KooKoo guard who fought wonderfully in the playoffs Nick Malikille.
In the second installment, KooKoo joined the game Teemu Engbergin and Kim Strömbergin with paints. Tappara quickly took the lead again Joni Tuulolan with a hit, but Strömberg immediately acknowledged the levels with another in the evening.
The four goals in the second round were scored in less than eight minutes.
The third round went without a goal. The best place was towards the end of the lot: Strömberg’s draw bounced from the pole to Heljango’s helmet and from there to the top.
After a fairly steady third installment, Tapparan Christian Heljangolla had 22 fights, KooKoo guard Malikilla 17.
The match series will continue on Saturday at 5 pm. Then Ilves and TPS will also start their semi-finals. The matches will be followed on Puhheen’s Hockey Tour from 4.30 pm.