Listen to the 4th quarterfinals of hockey on Areena: TPS–Tappara (wins 1–2), HIFK–Pelicans (wins 0–3) and Jukurit–Kärpät (wins 0–3). Broadcast on Tuesday from 18:10.
The crisis results of HIFK’s playoffs must be reviewed by ‘s hockey expert Top Nättinen with a broader perspective. The Helsinki team’s last home game of the season may be on Tuesday in Helsinki. The Pelicans lead the quarterfinal series with a 3–0 win.
Helsinki IFK last supported the Canada cup almost 13 years ago in the 2010–11 season, when the coach Kari Jalonen led by Mikael Granlund and partners as Finnish champions. Since then, the people from Helsinki have reached the finals only once: 2015–16.
For a league club hungry for success and with a big budget, the current achievements are big disappointments.
– HIFK’s image must be looked at from a longer perspective, if and when we talk about the sports boss Tobias Salmelainen and coach Ville Peltonen from the three-season period and investment to this season.
During Peltonen’s coaching era, HIFK was sixth and fourth in the previous two seasons. If the hosts of the Nordis come out of the medals with a famous team for the third time in a row, then the eyes will inevitably be on the coaching and the club management, which has assembled the team.
According to the expert, the sixth place in the regular season was not what was expected from HIFK. At least the home advantage of the quarter-finals was the minimum goal according to the material.
– It was not a good performance in the regular season.
HIFK has four consecutive losses below
Topi Nättinen says that even though in the history of the SM league there has only been one victory in the relegation series after three losses, it does not affect HIFK, who can still build their own story.
– Of course, the situation is statistically very difficult and challenging for the people of Helsinki, admits Nättinen.
HIFK slipping to the brink of the abyss after three games is statistically a huge surprise. However, the people from Helsinki did not lose two consecutive matches in regular time after November and thus showed in the long term that the team is capable of quick reaction when faced with defeat. Such convincing statistics have often even won championships.
– The confusing thing is that HIFK’s game has run away at the most important moment and even with the team’s key players. For certain players, the responsibility is bigger, and if they fail, it is never good for the team’s success.
In Nättinen’s opinion, HIFK has still hung on to the result in terms of play and was able to create enough goal chances, although at the same time they have given too many chances to the opponent.
– This is more about the spiritual side of things. It says something that HIFK is paralyzed by mistakes. In the first two quarter-finals, the team’s streak remained non-existent.
If you factor in the final loss of the regular season (0–3 to KalPa in Helsinki), HIFK now has four consecutive losses and the season can end with a losing streak of up to five games at worst.
Unfathomable, big personal mistakes
According to the expert, the Pelicans haven’t even had to show their best skills yet. Out of the team’s eight overtimes, it has scored only one goal in the HIFK series, yet the team from Lahti has a 3–0 lead in the series.
– However, they have played well enough, the kind of high-quality play where nerve control lasts. Not a defensive colossus Ben Blood hasn’t even been seen at all yet. Antti Tyrväinen has been Jori Lehterän shadow on the field, the first game was perfect.
In each of the three playoff matches, HIFK has stumbled on big personal mistakes, from which the opponent has finished the deciding goals.
In the first quarter-final, the golden helmet Jori Lehterä was able to take two back kicks and flashed Tyrväinen’s through drive, which led to the Pelicans’ winning goal in 56:16. So be it Leo Komarov turned off the streak phase with a stupid shower command, for which he was later banned from the game.
Credit guard in the second game Roope Taponen was involved in both setbacks, the latter of which of course came via an unlucky bounce in 57.08, where Lubos Horky was able to nail the puck into the empty goal.
– Even though Taponen gave HIFK a chance to win with his saves, it’s rare to win with one goal in hockey. But a goalkeeper cannot make two mistakes in the same match, it’s just too much, emphasizes expert Nättinen.
In the third quarter-final, the unlucky warrior was the defender in the overtime, in 66.40 Kasper Kotkansalowhose opening went wrapped in gift paper to a player with more than 20 goals in the regular season, by Lars Bryggman to the shoulder of the club.
Pelicans have a story, HIFK have the burden of history
According to the expert, Pelicans took a lot of ice in the 3rd quarter and gave HIFK a chance to win. In Nättinen’s opinion, this was the only moment when the Lahti group’s control has failed so far.
– The Pelicans have a whole season story with a lot of all kinds of events. HIFK has the burden of history behind it again. If Peltonen’s 3rd season ends like this – especially with a 0-4 loss in the quarterfinals – then some major changes must definitely be made. Somehow I feel that this personifies Salmelainen and Peltosee, the conversation has been with them, and it has not done any good.
Nättinen wonders about coach Peltonen’s comments after the games, that HIFK has found a game-like identity.
– These are not what make me believe. The truth is more avoided here. If it’s not enough, it’s just not enough. You should be able to admit that.
– After all, this is a shocking disappointment for the organization. For a long time, things have not been done as well as the resources would require. Half-okay is not good enough. Is this really such a big disappointment after all? I myself dared to expect that the Pelicans series will be challenging for them. Niemelä vs. Peltonen has completely gone into Niemelä’s pocket on the coaching side, the expert sees.
While HIFK has underperformers in important playing positions in the playoffs, Pelicans has instead been successful in their own roles and in their specific acquisitions acquired during the season.
IFK more for designated game positions, the Pelicans’ specific acquisitions excelled
– Ryan LaschLars Bryggman, Patrik Carlsson have made sufficient power points. If we talk about the experience of the Pelicans four court, then there are quite a few Finnish championships, world championships and other medals. Jonas Enlund-Tyrväinen-Juhamatti Aaltonen is quite a special pitch that you can throw against Lehterä’s joker.
According to Nättinen, HIFK’s material is tough, but there is an IFK supplement at designated game locations.
– When you look at the composition, there is a certain kind of blur. At the same time, the Pelicans have, for example, Jonas Enlund, who nobody talks about or even notices, let alone remembers the player in question. But if you look at his history, you will understand the value of the guy.
– The Pelicans are built well. Blood, Tyrväinen, the goalkeeper have come there in the middle of the season Niklas KokkoAaltonen, Nathan Schnarr. At least up to this moment, they have been absolutely incredible searches, Nättinen praises the recruitment department of the Lahtelaisueura.
The Pelicans have overcome their difficulties and welded together. The team has raised its level, while HIFK has not.
– Pelicans was the pre-favorite in the series for me. Now that players and other areas are starting to be discussed, Pelsui has better material for the right playing positions and the team is more clearly defined.
– In addition, they have the usual advantage of the game, with short passes, counter-hairs and different rhythms. You won’t find such a game identity at HIFK, even though they have famous, experienced and winning players. That kind of cohesion is missing from IFK, even though the wins have been small, expert Nättinen estimates.