Boston beat Minnesota 4–3 in the inaugural PWHL final, despite being down twice. Susanna Tapani scored Boston’s opening goal.
Susanna Tapani a job in the finals of the hockey league PWHL got off to a dream start.
The center forward scored Boston’s opening goal as the home team defeated Minnesota 4-3 in the season opener. Tapani smashed the puck past the goalkeeper with a knuckle shot from in front of the goal Madeline Rooney.
The Finnish Center moved to Boston a few months ago from Minnesota. The shared history gives Tapani an additional spice to the final series.
– It gives me confidence when I know the players and their weaknesses and strengths, Tapani said to Urheilu after the opening final.
You can watch Tapani’s game-tying goal below on the PWHL’s X release.
He leveled the match at 1–1 before halfway through the opening set. No less than five goals were seen in the second period. Minnesota’s star player Taylor Heise led his team for the second time in the early part of the period, but Boston scored three goals in the second half of the period.
The winning goal was scored at the end of the set Jessica Healey just 15 seconds after Heise had tied the score at 3–3. Tapani exuded confidence after the match.
– We found our way of playing some time ago and with that our confidence has grown. We know that we can rise even when we are down.
Boston advanced to the finals by defeating Montreal in straight sets in three games. However, every fight ended in a draw within the actual game time. Minnesota was down 0–2 in the semifinal series against Boston, but won the next three games.
Boston had several days off before the finals, but Minnesota still played on Friday night, when the opening final was scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Tapani believed that Minnesota was tired, but admitted that playing after several days off and waiting is not easy.
– I believe that they will be tired in the next match as well, so we will try to take advantage of that. Especially now that we got our feet moving, Tapani mused.
My chain has been found
The 31-year-old striker has formed the so-called European field together with the Swiss Alina Müller’s and Austrian by Theresa Schafzahl with. “Euroline” (Eurofield in Finnish) has played a big role in Boston’s strong final season. Tapani praises playing with the Central European duo.
– The ideas have gone well together. Even though we all speak a slightly different language, on the field we speak the same language and play the same game, so to speak, Tapani was glowing about the field.
Boston coach Courtney Kessel on the other hand, has cheered on the Finnish striker, who scored two winning goals in overtime in the semi-final series.
– Susanna is a comprehensive player. We can trust him with over and under power and we are grateful for the points he scored for us before the finals, Kessel assessed to the US media The Athletic before the final series.
My method emphasizes the breadth of the team. There were successes on a wide front in the opening final as well, as all four goals were scored by different players and no less than seven different players reached the power points.
– Four courts can score goals, which has been a big part of our game in the playoffs, Tapani summarized.
Even though he played in Minnesota in the early season, the coaching staff has not asked the Finn for tips on how to beat the opponent.
– We have played against them many times, so I haven’t had to ask, Tapani smiled and praised Boston’s coaching staff.
He expects a tough and tight final series. In addition to the small margins, what can be found in Minnesota’s coaching ladder adds interest Mira Jalosuo.
– I haven’t spoken to Mira for a while, but it brings a little Finland against Finland setting, Tapani laughed.
Three wins are required for the PWHL championship. The series of matches continues the night before Wednesday, Finnish time, in Boston.