KalPa gets its superstar to use in a decisive game.
Patrick Curry will be allowed to return to KalPa’s lineup on Thursday. Tomi Natri / AOP
KalPa beat HIFK 4–1 on Tuesday and extended the duo’s playoff series to the fifth game. It means that the people of Kuopio will get their star player by Patrick Curry back.
Curry ended up in the eye of the storm between the teams’ second and third games. HIFK took the spot kicker’s kick and the leg sweep to the disciplinary of the SM League. The behind-the-scenes game paid off, as Curry was suspended for two games.
The American forward suffered his injury on Tuesday. So he gets to play in the decisive match in Kuopio on Thursday.
– At the moment, there is a very well-charged man waiting to be released, KalPa’s coach Sami Tervonen reacted immediately at the press conference.
Also Hugo Gallet‘s ban ends. The KalPa defender got a three-match cake for his tackle on HIFK Daniel Mäkiaho.
– We’ll get out of the game bans anyway. That’s good. We get confirmation of the lineup and fire. There’s a loud screen with dudes on. They want to come in and help the team, Tervonen said.
Curry scored 18+23=41 in 44 regular season games. In two playoff contests, he has scored one goal and marked three assists.
For the fifth game
KalPa head coach Sami Tervonen commented on the situation of his stars. Tiia Mahkonen / AOP
Konsta Kapanen opened KalPa’s scoring account on Tuesday in the opening set. More came in 37.18, when Joona Saarelainen shot the away team to a 2–0 lead.
Head coach of HIFK Olli Jokinen called his own opening set weak.
– Skating and hairdressing work were not enough. We were good in them the first three games. In the second period, we got into the game. We got really good places to get even. A little sleep and another goal for the friend.
– KalPa was better and deserved the victory. It’s a shame we couldn’t win the game.
Petr Kodytek opened HIFK’s goal account with a superior score in 51.10. However, the joy of the 3–1 goal was short-lived. The people of Helsinki Lassi Old House got a run out from a cross bat. Kiri was completely stunted by the catastrophic turn.
KalPa’s other hits did Aleksi Klemetti and Andreas Okany.
– This was our best game of the series so far. I am really proud of the team, Tervonen praised.
The fifth and decisive match will be played in Kuopio. The winner goes to the quarterfinals. HIFK’s Jokisen likes pressure points.
– When you think about how our season and story has gone, could there be a better place and story than that we get to play against the reigning champion in the fifth game in Kuopio?
