Tappara beat HIFK in the fifth semi-final match with goals from Petteri Puhaka and Waltteri Merelä.
The reigning Finnish champion Tappara has advanced to the finals of the ice hockey SM league. Tappara defeated HIFK 2–1 in the fifth semi-final and continues to the finals with match wins 4–1.
The final place is Tappara’s eighth in the last ten years. Tappara will face either local opponent Ilves or Lahti Pelicans. On Tuesday, the ongoing series is at 2–2.
HIFK started the match with a strong change in their filed style of play, especially thanks to the opening play. In previous matches, HIFK sputtered, but now they dribbled away from their own area and this season also got better pressure on Tappara’s goal.
HIFK was also more active when it came to playing with fury and boldly applied pressure from the top. In defense, it managed to quickly cut off Tappara’s attacks.
As in the previous match, however, a good start was not reflected on the scoreboard for HIFK. The patient Tappara struck like lightning from a clear sky, when Petteri Puhakka directed Maksim Matushkin shot into the net.
– This came out of the blue. World-class control for which Roope Taponen can’t do anything at all. Tappara quickly solved HIFK’s somewhat careless playing, Urheilu’s expert Top Nättinen stated in the Ice Hockey round.
Merelä hit again
At the beginning of the second period, the match seemed to be decided when Walter Merelä hit the loose puck into the goal in 20:37 just after the end of the advantage. Merelä has been in high spirits against HIFK, as the goal was already the fifth of the semi-final series.
– If that line shot goes through, after that the minimum is to take care of the loose puck. Now HIFK failed completely.
Kaskimäki narrowed
Axesrinnat offered HIFK two chances also with superiority. However, Tappara, who conceded one underpowered goal in the playoffs, did not give up either time.
In the last minute of the set, HIFK brought the game back to life, when Alexander Kaskimäki succeeded from the back post. From the next exchange Iiro Pakarinen there was even an equaliser, but Tappara defended the situation in front of the goal stoutly.
– Tappara has done what is enough. It has come to the scene, trusted its own playing. Tappara hasn’t had to play better. If the standard of the game increased, Tappara would raise his own level, Nättinen stated after the second set.
In the final set, Tappara even had a place to decide the entire match, when it was able to play five against three. However, this time the highly effective superiority was quiet, so HIFK kept its chances.
– The machinery started to wait. When you have the upper hand, you have to be relaxed, but decisive and tough. Now Tappara went skiing and sliding on the ice, Nättinen wondered.
Tappara’s goalkeeper in the final moments Christian Heljanko even tried to score into an empty goal, but HIFK’s player prevented the situation with a high stick.