Tappara is the new champion of the CHL.
Kristian Kuusela was able to lift the CHL championship trophy. PDO
Tampere’s Tappara did a remarkable feat when it won the hockey CHL championship.
In the final, Tappara beat Luleå 3–2 on the away court. The absolute hero of Tappara was the goalkeeper who was chosen as the most valuable player of the entire tournament Christian Heljanko.
– Last year we were pretty close against Rögle, that’s why this feels so good, Heljanko beamed in an interview with C More.
– This is incredible, Heljanko continued.
Kristian Kuusela has now won the Finnish championship, the WC gold and the CHL championship in his career.
At the end of the final, Luleå pushed hard and created scoring opportunities, but Tappara held on.
– What game. The last eight minutes are the longest so far. We should be proud of our team.
C More’s reporter asked Kuusela if the victory felt better considering that he played for Modo earlier in his career.
The reporter recalled that it happened a few years ago.
– Yeah, just a few, 16 years ago or something, Kuusela grinned.
The team’s age guide also revealed Tappara’s party plans for this evening.
– Of course we are going to celebrate.
Winning the CHL championship was visible on Kuusela’s face. The experienced striker clearly appreciated the championship.
– Come, come already!, Kuusela shouted on the ice with the trophy in his hands to his teammates before raising it in the air.
Below you can see the atmosphere from Tappara’s championship party.
After the championship was decided, the players gathered around Heljango. PDO