Will the Tampere dream final come true? Yes, says the expert – here are the starting points for the semi-finals of the Finnish Ice Hockey League

Tampere teams will be the favorite in the semi-finals of the Finnish Hockey Championship, says Sport’s expert Topi Nättinen.

The semi-finals of the Finnish Championship League will start on Friday, when Tampereen Tappara will host Kouvola’s KooKoo. The semi-finals series of the Tampere Ilves and Turku Palloseura will start on Saturday.

Former Finnish Champions League player and youth world champion Nättinen goes through the starting points for the semi-finals.

That’s why Tappara goes on

– Tappara has rested and gets a home advantage in the match series. Tappara’s playful strength is based on special situations, their superiority is 36%. They didn’t undercut even a goal in the matches played against Lukko. Christian Heljanko has played really well with Tappara ‘s goal, although he may not have passed the same test as the other goalkeepers in the playoffs. Tappara has also been successful in the start-ups: Otto Rauhala and Tyler Morley have won almost 60 percent of their starts, Nättinen says.

That’s why KooKoo goes on

– KooKoo’s game load is already so hard that the beginning of the match series is important to them. They may get a small benefit from their gameplay. KooKoon must win either Friday’s or Saturday’s match. The series must be at least 1-1 after the second match, not 2-0 for Tappara. KooKoo defends with very high quality and Nick Malik is currently the best goalkeeper in the SM league. KOOKoon Alivoima is over 90%. They have nothing to lose, however, as Tappara leaves the match series as an overwhelming favorite.

– Tappara’s steady team Anton Levtchi has played more than one point per match. Levtchi has not been successful in the playoffs of previous years, but has now maintained its own level. Nick Malik stands out from KooKo, he is best remembered for his performances.

Kill in the finals with a win of 4-1

Fri 8.4. Tappara – KooKoo at 6.30 pm

Sat 9.4. KooKoo – Tappara at 5 p.m.

Ma 11.4. Tappara – KooKoo at 6.30 pm

Ti 12.4. KooKoo – Tappara at 6.30 pm

To 14.4. Tappara – KooKoo at 6.30 pm (if necessary)

Sat 16.4. KooKoo – Tappara at 5pm (if applicable)

Su 17.4. Tappara – KooKoo at 17.00 (if necessary)

That’s why Ilves goes on

– The lynx is winged by a completely insane home charm. Keeper Marek Langhamer has played with more than 94 percent of the opponent’s goal. Ilves has already overthrown their biggest specter when they advanced to the quarterfinals. The team is very even, there really isn’t anyone bouncing based on power points. The previous opponent Kärpät was an extreme defensive team, now the game is perhaps a little more open, although TPS also knows how to defend. The lynx can still improve in special situations.

Because of this, TPS goes on

– TPS have scored 22 goals in the playoffs this spring, the most of the semi-final teams. But they have also conceded the most goals, with 18 goals conceded. TPS’s superiority and underspending have been clearly better than Ilve’s. Keeper Andrei Karejev was in trouble in the middle of the HIFK match series, but brilliantly defeated the last three matches.

– It is easy to lift Marek Langhamer from the lynx. About field players Henrik Haapala has brought efficiency and is an important player in Ilves’ superiority. Petri Kontiola has already played at his level. On the TPS side, goalkeeper Karejev also stands out, a golden helmet Markus Nurmi has played well again. Juuso Pärssinen has played almost point-per-match.

Ilves won the finals 4–2 or 4–3

Sat 9.4. Ilves – TPS at 17.00

With 10.4. TPS – Ilves at 6.30 pm

Ti 12.4. Ilves – TPS at 6.30 pm

Wed 13.4. TPS – Ilves at 6.30 pm

Fri 15.4. Ilves – TPS at 6.30 pm (if necessary)

Sat 16.4. TPS – Ilves at 6.30 pm (if necessary)

Ma 18.4. Ilves – TPS at 6.30 pm (if necessary)