The atmosphere in Pori’s Isomäki arena was intoxicating when Ässät beat TPS 2–1 and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Captain Jesse Joensuu became Ässie’s great hero. Elmeri Elo / AOP
The playoff series of the first round ended with the same numbers with a 2–1 victory for the people of Pori, and in the quarter-final series starting in Tampere on Saturday, Ässät will challenge Ilves.
TPS won the shots of the even opening set 16–13, but the best place went to Ässien Dominic Turgeon. The Canadian’s shot from an open spot went towards the top corner of the shield side but missed the TPS keeper Lassi from Lehti and shielded in the upper grid.
In the second round, TPS Sebastian Stålberg in turn flashed the paint irons of the people of Pori.
In the final set, things started to happen on the scoreboard as well.
Right to the start, the defender Teemu Kivihalme fired the visitors into the lead. Then came forward Jesse Joensuu.
First, the Pata captain stood in front of Lehtinen like a deep-rooted oak, and the goalkeeper did not see By Derek Barach kutia: 1–1 in 52.13.
Then Joensuu directed the defender from the same place Aleksi Heimosalmen shot to the back: 2–1 in 57:47, and the sold-out (6150) Isomäki arena exploded into an infernal storm of screams.
After the final buzzer, the party in the famous standing room continued for dozens of minutes after the end of the game.
– It’s human nature that if they start pouring and we get the game even, it’s not nice to go there to get the puck from Tepsin Pak, Joensuu thanked the fanatical home crowd’s contribution with C Morella.
– It could be that the audience won for us – or the players – but yes, it’s a huge support for us.
Derek Barach celebrates his shot to equalize 1-1 for the Aces in front of a storm of screams from the stands. Elmeri Elo / AOP