Sport offered the home crowd the wrong kind of goal celebration.
Doug Shedden is trying to turn Sport’s course. Sampa Toivonen / AOP
In the ice hockey championship league by Doug Shedden coached by Sport, experienced a bottom quotation in front of their home crowd on Wednesday, when Tappara claimed a 7–1 victory over Vaasa.
The number of spectators for the match was announced as 4728, but the customers who paid could mostly watch the successes of Tappara’s players.
Those who have moved to the top of the points exchange Joachim Blichfeld and Benjamin Rautiainen collected four power points to a man.
– Some of the guys were sleeping. The players had a few days off, but when you come back, you can’t be asleep. From what I’ve seen, Tappara is one of the most talented teams in this league, Sport head coach Shedden said.
– You can’t play against men with a boys’ mentality. You must wear overalls and a work hat. A good team will embarrass you at home if you are not ready to play.
Sport’s goalkeeper Joni Ortio came on as a substitute in 50.08, when the situation was already 1–7.
Shedden was asked after the match why Ortio was not substituted earlier. Shedden reasoned that Ortio, who had been off for a few days, needed work.
– Finally, in the third set, I told one of the players to go and ask if he wants to leave. Ortio said yes, Shedden said.
– I didn’t want him to be embarrassed. He is a veteran and a professional. I left the decision up to him.
Sport will play against HPK on Thursday in Hämeenlinna. After that, the next Pelion won’t be until a week later, when Sport will visit Tampere as a guest of Tappara.
Shedden took over as Sport’s coach at the end of October, when the Vaasa team gave the boot Juice for Hahl.
Under Shedden, Sport have lost three games and won one.