The whistle has not been consciously left in the pocket

In the final series of the Finnish Ice Hockey League, four intense matches have been seen between Tappara and TPS, but it has been unusually quiet in the statistics columns. A total of 11 goals have been scored in four matches, or only 2.75 hits per match. It is the lowest reading in the entire 21st century.

The last time the hatches stayed as effective was in the spring of 2005, when 13 goals were scored in four matches between the Flies and the Jokers.

The penalty room door has also rarely been used, with penalties averaging nine and a half minutes in four matches. In a sample of the last seven finals, it is the lowest reading. There has been a little overwhelming, and that combined with a close-knit game of pentathlon and great goalkeepers has kept the readings low.

In physical measurements, the line has been permissive, but the referee Jyri Rönn does not sign the claim that the whistle was deliberately left in his pocket.

– The games are quite different from the regular season, and when it comes to racket or tackle play, players and teams take this into account. The aim is to play hard, but without ice and within the stated limits, Rönn states.

– There are no useless and loose coolers at all, but the game is very disciplined and I really don’t see it as a line that is different from the regular season.

Rönn says that at the general level of the two teams Jukka-Pekka Koistinen – Mikko Kaukokari and Joonas Kova – Petri Lindqvist the work has been good and streamlined. Discussions have taken place with Tappara and TPS, but there is consensus.

– Some situations are discussed with the teams. We’re not flawless, and that’s part of the game, but we have a good understanding of what’s going on in the trough. It is especially liked that a hard fight against the body of the body and the racket of the club is allowed when playing from below the hand.

– In addition, the Rigging, which comes a lot, has generally come right into the body. They are part of the game.

Compared to last year’s finals, the atmosphere on and off the ice has been different as the crowd has arrived in large numbers to fill the gallery. Rönn does not think the audience will influence the intensity of the judges’ work, but the change has been seen in the games.

– The puck spring has been great, and a lot of good, intense games have been seen with a lot of tackling and tackling right. Teams want every inch out of space and time, there’s a lot going on in the games and it’s a big challenge for the judges. You have to be ready all the time.

In the NHL, a decision was made for this season to start riding crossbars with a magnifying glass. In the finals of the Finnish Championship League, none of the second cross has been whistled yet, even though there may have been ingredients.

According to Rönn, it is a matter of building a common understanding. Achieving zero tolerance is possible if all actors want it.

– There are borderline cases in the playoffs, of course, and someone from the cross may have gone through it. There is a line in Finland where the cross can be pushed, but clear punches must always be taken away.

– If you start with zero tolerance or a more precise line, it’s next summer’s things how you want to line up the game. It requires a consensus among the people within the sport and within the league. Every summer, we ask the game’s experts what kind of guidelines need to be made at any point.

Sports Hockey Specialist Topi Nättinen according to the judges of the finals has been permissive but clear. Although the scarcity of coolers partly explains the low number of goals, the teams have also played in a very disciplined manner.

– Both teams defend really accurately and both have top scorers, Nättinen sums up.

Nättinen admits to noticing that the transverse racket may be used in the trough, but has not noticed any excesses.

– Impacts remain on the body, do not rise in the neck or head area and are not hurt for injury. This is now allowed, both take advantage of it and it brings a sense to the game, seems to sum up.

He thinks the judges have shown that clear situations are being whistled.

– In the previous match Veli-Matti Savinainen hit the club silly Juhani Jasulta completely out of the situation, and Kristian Kuusela held the racket completely out of the situation. They were given coolers.

When the whistle rarely rings, the importance of an individual cool increases. However, Nättinen has not detected any attempt to put pressure on the judges in the trough.

– It seems that the impact is even less than normal, because everyone knows that there will be no coolers. Because the line has been clear, there is no need to guess, Nättinen says.

Defining the quality of a game depends, of course, on the determinant, but large-scale games are often thought to be entertaining. The seemingly low scores have added tension to this spring’s games.

– The importance of each goal in this series has been insanely great. I think it’s a great situation, Nättinen smokes.

– Strict fighting games are played in order to avoid mistakes and the opponent is not given any chance. It has been given to struggle and emotion to show.

The Finnish Championship League selected two judges for the finals, who have alternated between matches in Tampere and Turku. The games have been grazed under the leadership of Rönn and the referee coaches with a dense comb, and selections from the same quartets will also be made for future matches.

– Even in the regular season, all the games are reviewed, but in the finals especially carefully after the game and, of course, during the breaks, if we notice anything with the referee coach. The footage will be watched the next morning, and this is normal practice in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Rönn states that judges are critical of their own actions. Too happy can never be.

– They are aware of the places that want to look through themselves and think about whether there is room for improvement. The atmosphere is good but constructively critical. Must be able to improve and be on top of the game. It contributes to the following games and your own performance of being on the map as best as possible about what’s going on.

The fifth final between Tappara and TPS will be played on Thursday, and the match can be watched in Puhe.