According to Pelicans coach Tommi Niemelä, Tappara was ready to play in the first round of the finals, unlike his own team.
– In the first set, there could have been a little bit of final tension. You should ask each individual. It was one of the weakest sets we’ve played in months.
Niemelä said that the Pelicans’ patience in the team’s offensive play was not at the level it should be against a team of Tappara’s caliber.
– Tappara is such a great team to turn the game around that you have to attack in a certain way and believe that it will produce those certain goals.
– We have to be satisfied that we improved the game in the second and third sets. However, you have to get your goal kicking to a completely different level than today, if you want to challenge in this series, Niemelä continued.
Pelicans’ important forward Nathan Schnarr’s injury in the 3rd set worried the team’s supporters.
– You know I can’t say anything about player injuries. He was on the bench at the end of the match. We will look and monitor the situation, Niemelä commented.