Tappara reaches the semi-finals for the tenth time in a row – Tampere arena concerts force axe-bringers into the guest hall

Tappara plays its first two semi-final matches away from home. After that, it hosted three matches in a row.

Tappara took a convincing 3–0 victory over KooKoo in the decisive quarter-final and advanced to the semi-finals of the hockey SM league once again with four consecutive victories.

Reigning champion Tappara didn’t leave anything to chance in the KooKoo quarter-final series, but progressed to the semi-finals with a 4-0 win against their more tired and weaker challenger.

– Tappara was blunt, disciplined in the series, defended with quality and always succeeded in the important superiority. In this series, quality won, emphasized ‘s puck expert Ismo Lehkonen.

The matches ended in the series for Tappara with the numbers 4–0, 6–1, 2–1 and 3–0, i.e. KooKoo scored only two goals in the CHL champion’s net in the four quarter-finals. A year ago, Tappara defeated KooKoo in the semi-finals, winning 4–1.

On Friday, the regular season winner’s attitude did not slip and the team’s solid routine level tamed the Kouvola residents, who lacked by Emil Molin besides this time also Axel Ottoson. KooKoo’s “Swedish prankster” was therefore no longer playing Linus Andersson.

– KooKoo’s energy and fuel were not enough after the Kärppä series, especially when they were not even allowed a rest day between series. At no point did KooKoo get into his own game rhythm. Due to the circumstances, they had some kind of blowout, and their confidence was not enough against a high-quality opponent, Lehkonen analyzed.

Tappara’s Golden Helmet Jori Lehterä steered from the back corner Valtteri Kemläinen blue line bet to the KooKoo network in 13.16. The shots of the opening set were recorded for Tappara 17–8.

At the beginning of the second period, Tappara roamed the home team’s territory for a couple of minutes like a public prosecutor, and the Swedish striker Marcus Davidson sivalsi Petteri Puhakan for excellent preliminary work in the time of the 2-0 goal at 21:59.

KooKoo cheered up in the pursuit of two goals, but Tappara’s credit keeper Christian Heljanko was the man in place in a few of the home team’s attacking positions. Heljanko needed 22 saves for his clean sheet.

In the third set, Lehterä sealed Tappara’s 3–0 winning numbers at the end. The playoff hit was Lehterä’s fifth and eighth power point of the season.

KooKoo’s head coach Olli Salo said that right after the losing game the uppermost feeling is a little disappointment.

– Despite the disappointment, I am satisfied and proud of those guys. Everything was put on hold. In tight moments, the team’s head never dropped, quite the opposite. Now it’s time for the kids. To be honest, when I came home after the trip to Oulun and opened the door, the boy didn’t even shout anymore that his father came home. The boy stated that Olli came home, Salo rolled his head with a smile.

The SM League announced right after Tappara’s next place was confirmed (you will switch to another service)that the team’s semifinal program is exceptional.

Tappara plays the first two matches of its semi-final series in the away stadium, because the concert events in the Tampere arena cause changes to the usual match rhythm.

After this, three matches will be played, hosted by Tappara, and after that it will be alternated until the end of the series.