Tappara walked over the Pelicans in the opening final with numbers 5–1. Lukas Jasek of the Pelicans has now played five games without power.
The Pelicans’ offense was still badly hit in Wednesday’s opening game.
New Jersey Devils defender Topias Vilén scored the team’s only goal. Vilén plays for the Pelicans on loan.
Big names from Lahti, such as Lukas Jasek and Lars Bryggman, were asleep in the opening game. According to the statistics on the League’s website, Jasek has now played five games with binoculars, and the man should wake up if the people of Lahti want to challenge Tappara.
Iltalehti’s ice hockey expert Pekka Virta gives Tappara’s attack credit.
– There are leading stars and the right amount of jaggedness. That attack is quite extensive. Brother Matti Savinainen must be brought up. Few teams have a player who likes to wrestle in front of the goal.
– Getting someone there to receive blows is challenging every season for every team, Virta thinks.
Savinainen scored one goal in the first final.
Daring Pelicans
Veli-Matti Savinainen is messing around in his office again in front of the opponent’s goal. Savinainen is an important role player for Tappara. MIKA KYLMÄNIEMI / AOP
The Pelicans have delighted the sports crowd with their moves all spring. In the first-place final, the team’s attack only worked for barely a quarter of an hour.
– There is intrigue and daring. The rise of Iikka Kangasniemi has been amazing. Sometimes he puts two or three opponents on a coffee break, Virta says.
Kangasniemi set up the Lahti team’s only goal on Wednesday. In this situation, three Tappara players went on a trip. Kangasniemi has scored 2+9 power points in 14 playoff games.
In the video, listen to Pekka Virta’s analysis of the offensive equipment of the final teams.