Julius Junttila, who returned home from KHL-Jokers, decided on Kärpi’s away victory from HIFK.
Julius Junttila (right), who shot the winners’ goal, congratulates Ville Leskinen. Matti Raivio / AOP
- Kärpät applied for a 1–0 extra time victory in Helsinki.
- Oulu residents have the opportunity to go directly to the semi-finals.
- The team may also be completely excluded from the playoffs.
– Yes, you noticed that there was an important game for both of you and important points in the distribution, Julius Junttila noted after a minimalist but valuable 1-0 overtime win.
The flies rose to seven of the league standings in the playoffs in an extremely tight battle.
Its Score Average of 1.59 is only 0.01 surface worse than the TPS, which occupies the sixth place. On the other hand, KalPaa, who is ranked 11th out of the playoffs, has a safety margin of only 0.03 points.
Pelicans, Lukko and KooKoo are also included between the playoff lines.
– There was a bit of a lower nail, especially in the second installment, Junttila referred to the 20-minute, during which four coolers were whistled at Kärpi.
– Stubbornly defended, and Alivoima was in a good strike, he praised.
Nature of overtime
Junttila had a top plot for the opening goal of the evening already at the beginning of the third installment, when he undercame the most sober HIFK guard Michael Garteigin with.
– Suddenly the puck bounced off me. I saw that there would be space in the upper nest. The puck got up when I left to shoot, and it didn’t go where I was looking.
In overtime, Junttila repaired the damage.
– A little bit of it spun on its own when IFK was bitter. I don’t really remember how it opened then, but it was reached (Ludwig) Byström with two-to-one. There was a good feed, and I shot onetimer goal, he repeated.
The moments of settlement were dramatic. The counterattack of the flies was preceded by the HIFK Otto Paajanen pole shot.
– In three or three, both defend very accurately, but then when a situation opens up, a chain reaction can start and places come to both ends. You just have to try to use those places, Junttila described the nature of overtime.
Fast transfer
Junttila, who played in KHL this and last season, returned to his breeder’s club in Kärpp when the Jokerit suspended his season in the ruble league.
In five league matches, Junttila has amassed a good 1 + 3.
– Even playing in the league tastes nice again. After all, these things progressed quickly. There were preparations in the playoffs for the other team, but Russian warfare changed plans.
– Pretty fast, more players moved and wanted to continue through. I had exactly the same idea, and when the Flies asked, it was easy to get home.
The head coach also moved from the Jokers to Kärpp Lauri Marjamäki and defender David Sklenicka. In Marjamäki’s coaching, the team has collected 10 points from five matches.
The basic pillars of HIFK
HIFK head coach Ville Peltonen despite the loss, saw a lot of good in his team’s performance as well.
– Strict and accurate playoff-themed gaming. Defending and goalkeeping were good foundation pillars for us, he said.
Garteig and zero liked the flies Joel Blomqvist each blocked 18 shots.
– You have to be more efficient. By force majeure, we were offered opportunities, Peltonen reminded.
HIFK continues in fourth place in the series.