TAMPERE. – In that activity, an eye for the game, timeliness and a good balance are required. When you are able to deliver a timely blow and destabilize the opponent with pre-contact, you get the space for yourself.
This is how Tappara’s club legend describes it Ville Nieminenwho himself has become known as a tough goal-scoring player.
The struggle has also become a topic of conversation in the Tappara and Pelicans finals. In the first two finals, Pelicans fell behind Tapparaa in front of the goal, but in the third game, the people of Lahti also defended stoutly.
Known as a great goal-scoring team, Tappara only got to celebrate once Veli-Matti Savinainen under.
According to Nieminen, hockey is developing in such a way that there is less and less space and time. It can be seen strongly in the NHL, but season after season space and time are fought more in the SM league as well.
Every cent and extra second makes a huge difference when deciding games in the playoffs.
– Even in the SM league, you have to anticipate and deal with situations in advance even more strongly from season to season. We have to pre-deflect, make pre-contacts and make all passes under pressure with one touch. To play rondo or pre-dawn. Everything is done in advance.
Savinainen has had to struggle hard in these finals, especially the Pelicans defender Ben Blood’s with.
Blood appreciates his fans
The American, who arouses emotions both for and against, also received extra attention from the Tampere audience in Saturday’s match.
When Blood was shown on the hall’s media cube twice, the entire hall joined in a fierce whistling concert. Blood, who followed the situation with a smile, revealed on Puhe’s Ice Hockey tour that he said on the bench that “everyone loves me”.
– Didn’t you hear how they cheered me on? I appreciate that and my Finnish fans. I’m glad everyone loves Benny Blood, the US carver.
Charismatic players
Nieminen says that he really likes charismatic-looking characters like Blood.
– This season, the SM league has been blessed with such charismatic figures who teach our youth and this audience about sports.
– While there were perhaps a few sloppy stages, now there are these charismatic players who throw themselves into this event. It’s important to learn for everyone that we know what an individual player needs to load each night to play to their potential.
Blood has tried to mix up the deck both in and out of the rink. Among other things, the American stated after the second final that the Pelicans will give Tappara hell in the next final.
– Yes, it’s a pericanadian mentality to try to turn all the stones and mix up the series of matches. Now, however, the opposite is such a bad team that doesn’t necessarily get excited about any goalscoring hassles, with the exception of certain players, says Nieminen.
Nieminen sees that there is no hatred associated with game series in Finland, and they are not that hot anyway.
– Over the years, social media has fixed it, so you can’t get so explosive from match series. And you can’t really translate those series except by playing.
Nieminen himself has turned against Savinai in the rink. In 2013, the duo fought hard in the SM league finals, when Nieminen represented Tapparaa and Savinainen represented Ässi.
“Yes, he also obeys the cross stick”
For Niemi, fighting in front of the goal is another thing that he has missed from hockey as a player, in addition to life in the locker room.
– Honestly, I sometimes wake up at night, and when I watch the game today, I would really like to be in front of the goal passing the glove to Veli-Matti Savinainen or giving a cross stick, Nieminen threw on Saturday.
– Yes, he also obeys the cross stick. At least ten years ago he obeyed, Nieminen grins.
You can’t use these kicks nowadays with höntsy ice though?
– Let’s say this way, nowadays I play on höntsy ice through pre-contacts, Nieminen laughs.
The SM league finals between Tappara and Pelicans continue on Tuesday in Lahti. Listen live from Puhe from 18:10.