Lassi Kuisma
The grand champion is on the ropes. So far, Fiksu has managed with less money, writes Lassi Kuisma from Kouvola.
Christian Heljanko and Tappara crashed in Kouvola. Pasi Liesimaa
Is it time?
Jesse Puljujärvi’s famous statement about the NHL may have described the state of mind of Tappara supporters during the SC league playoffs.
Jesse Puljujärvi was once asked if it was time for him to establish his place in the NHL.
Tappara has been asked whether the expensive regular season winner would finally “light up” in the playoffs and put the winning gear on.
The idea has been fueled by head coach Rikard Grönborg, who has insisted during the playoffs cojonestesticles, will to fight and made it clear that the team is capable of much better.
The second match of the final series played on Monday was Tappara’s 13th playoff match this season.
It’s no longer worth holding your breath. Here is this season’s Tappara. We go with these and either win or lose.
Right now it looks like we’re losing. Tappara improved for the second match, but KooKoo was stronger and now leads the final series 2–0.
The rise from the back of two wins is a huge tick for Tappara as well.
Although Tappara’s cards are mostly on the table, there are of course some small differences between the games.
In the opening game of the final series, Tappara was in trouble with KooKoo’s midfield träp, and for the match against Kouvola, the people of Tampere had clearly filed down what they were doing so that the team could get to the attacking area better.
However, the big picture did not change. KooKoo seriously challenges the old champion, because Tappara is used to posing more head to head. The former champion of delayed starts has forgotten how to ride a bike, and is trying to figure out in the middle of the final series how to break the trap.
The final series is evaluated from the starting point that Tappara is a team assembled with hugely bigger money than KooKoo.
Whereas in the Nokia Arena spectators eat beef burgers on leather couches, in the Kouvola ice rink they eat meat pies on the running track that goes around the hall.
It is precisely because of this that it is fascinating that in the final series KooKoo has relied on its opponent more on things that it already brought to its game earlier during the playoffs.
In two matches, the great and mighty Tappara has studied and reacted. KooKoo, a first-timer in the finals, has confidence in his own performance.
Tappara can still draw strength from the fact that it was quite strong in places on Monday. The team is the early favorite in the triple play on Wednesday, even though the wins in the series have gone to Kouvola.
Tappara’s superstars Benjamin Rautiainen and Joachim Blichfeld, who still roam the night, have their own chapter.
Now a real change of direction and feats are required so that this season does not remain just a big bubble for men.
Of course, Rautiainen and Blichfeld are also part of the victims of the big picture mentioned above. Cutting down on the basics leaves less room for creativity.
KooKoo’s players look more cunning because surprising solutions are made within familiar frames.
A huge sensation is brewing in Kouvola.
