HIFK won the third women’s hockey final by Kiekko-Espoo with 6-3 goals and reduced the final wins to 1-2 at Tapiola. With three wins to become champion.
STT Sports,
Timo Uusitalo
20.4. 22:14 • Updated April 20th. 22:23
HIFK was a completely different team on Wednesday than in the first two women’s hockey finals, where Kiekko-Espoo still marched to victory in the half-lights. Stadin Gimmat found the red wire on Tuesday’s hike and intentionally skipped the ice workouts.
– We decided with the team to put it all on and we are not ready for the summer holidays, said the coach of HIFK Saara Niemi.
The match for the women’s struggle was hot and surprisingly physical. Puck-Espoo Emmi Rakkolainen flew into the shower with a 5 + 20-minute penalty as he tackled Matilda Nilssonia dangerously in the third installment.
Nilsson was carried from the trough on a stretcher, but an attacker who is one of HIFK’s key players appeared after walking to the player corridor after the STT.
– Nasty stuff when a player is injured, but I don’t go to comment otherwise, Niemi told STT.
Did you talk to Matilda after the game?
– We exchanged a few words. We’re going to the doctor, Niemi said.
– These are scary moments, but it was easier when we noticed that our legs were moving.
Niemi told that HIFK got a feel for his own play on Wednesday.
– Each player improved on a personal level and we also decided to go together and put a lot of pressure. Now we went to the finish line and blocked the discs, which we didn’t do very well in the previous matches, Niemi notes.
Excessive HIFK power pack
HIFK got the dream started when Nilsson finished the opening goal with undercutting and also three power points Juulia Liikala (2 + 1) added a batch line to 2-0. Also Michaela Pejzlova (1 + 2) was part of the winners’ power packs.
– Yes, that charge came straight from the heart when it was first taken in the palate. Now that spark was found, Liikala rejoiced.
– The beginnings of the matches have been difficult for us in the past, but now we gained extra energy with important successes. The structure of the game remained really good until the end, accompanied by HIFK coach Niemi.
Goalkeeper of Kiekko-Espoo To Tiia Pajarinen recorded 23 (5 + 10 + 8) fights in the match, HIFK To Iina Kuusela 28 (7 + 9 + 12).
The fourth final will be played in Pirkkola on Saturday.
– Great to get to the home hall again. Our goal was “back to Pirkkola”, Saara Niemi reported.