Patrik Bartosak saved another win for the Pelicans in his second game.
Patrik Bartosak is back, and the Pelicans are winning! Tomi Natri / AOP
The people of Lahti defeated Tappara in Tampere after the winning shots 3–2. The matchup was the second meeting between the finalists from last spring this season, and the Pelicans have won both times.
The goalkeeper, who represented the Pelicans in 2020–23 and excelled in the spring -23 playoffs, returned to Lahti last week and immediately brought a change with him.
The Pelicans, who were the biggest underperformers of the fall season, along with the Kärppi, have woken up as if by the stroke of a magic wand.
In his season opener on Saturday, Bartosak helped the team with his 26 saves to break a four-match losing streak and take KalPa to a 2–1 overtime victory.
In his second game on Tuesday, the 31-year-old Czech recorded 32 saves and tamed triple champion Tappara, who dominated the game, in its home hall. The Pelicans grabbed the extra point again when Leevi Tukainen was the only winner of the shooting competition.
Known as a colorful guy, Bartosak rejected all six of Tappara’s attempts and aired his successes. This is what he also did in the first period after repelling Tappara’s 3–1 superiority attack: hands up, even though the situation in the Lahti defense area continued!
– Everyone saw that he won the game for us, the Pelicans pilot Juhamatti Yli-Junnila praised Bartosak’s contribution.
– It is a big thing that the goalkeeper can save the team in certain situations. In addition, on the mental side, he brings a lot of sound and life to our dressing room, the coach praised.
Pelicans came within a point of the last playoff spot, i.e. 12th place, from Kärpi. Tappara continues as series runner-up.