Pelicans head coach Tommi Niemelä thought the judges’ verdict was justified. Olli Juolevi of Tappara said he did not see the situation. However, he reached out to Saku Salmi.
follows the SM league finals moment by moment on its website. The Hockey Tour broadcasts every league final live. All finals will be heard live at Areena, the third final also on Radio Suomen’s soundwaves. The preliminary studios of the ice hockey round can be enjoyed in video form for the first time in the finals.
TAMPERE. Pelicans head coach Tommi Niemelä was extremely happy when his proteges won in the second overtime of the third final of the Tappara SM league.
Patrik Carlsson settled the match Ryan Laschin input.
– This was more of a battle victory. Still the game is not what we want. Big improvement in patience. You have to find a way to make the team feel they are playing better. This performance and fight gives us a lot of strength, Niemelä said.
The most telling situation of the match was seen in the third period, when the Pelicans defender Saku Salminen Tappara’s goalkeeper Christian Heljanko behind the goal. Heljanko, who stopped the puck, fell violently on the ice from the impact and lost his helmet.
– All in all, it was a completely correct verdict from the judges. There was a big freeze and now discipline will make a decision. I think the situation was and went. It’s pointless to worry about it any more, Niemelä summed up.
According to Niemelä, only game-related issues were discussed during the break. The head coach says that he discussed the situation with Salminen.
– We already discussed the matter through. I don’t need to go through it publicly here, Niemelä acknowledges.
In what tone of voice?
– Just by talking.
MTV expert Siim Liivik was of the opinion that Salminen knew what he was doing when he ran into Heljanko. Niemelä denied that the act was intentional.
– It is pointless to think that anyone would want to harm anyone. Saku is from here and from Tampere, he’s the guy of the team, Niemelä told reporters.
– We have six defenders healthy, why on earth would we do something like that as a team? No need to explain more. That situation passed and we are moving on.
After Heljanko fell, Tappara’s defender Olli Juolevi approached Salmi. However, according to his words, he did not see the collision.
– I didn’t really see it. It went quickly and I was already in the next situation at that point. I can’t say, and I haven’t gotten around to looking at the slowdowns either, Juolevi dodged.
However, you caught up with Salmi. So you know what happened?
– Of course, I heard from the reaction that what’s in it. Not that. I can’t say more than that.
Pelicans captain Miika Roine commented after the match that he “didn’t really see the situation”.
– I will not comment on the matter in any way, Roine said.
How is the case handled within the team?
– It’s a team thing. I will not comment one way or the other.
Tappara goalkeeper Christian Heljanko and Pelicans defender Saku Salminen were not available for media interviews after the match.