The Pelicans have to worry about the fate of their new leader.
Eemeli Suomi caught Ben Blood’s knee in the back. Mika Kylmäniemi/AOP
Ben Blood became Pelicans’ hero on Thursday in the semi-final played at Nokia Arena after scoring two goals in Ilves’ net. The latter 3–2 hit was the winning goal of the match.
However, the situation that happened in the second to last minute of the match endangered the playing of the American character from Lahti on Saturday, when the teams meet for the fourth time.
Last night, the league’s disciplinary department said that it had taken into consideration the situation where “Veri-Pena” punched the Ilves captain Eemeli Lahtea with a knee on the back in a goal kick.
Blood admits on Twitter that he was guilty of doggedness, but still considers his act in line with the spirit of the playoffs.
– Yes, that was unnecessary and a bit dirty. No, it’s not worth a ban. We have a good streak going. Let the boys play, Blood communicated his view of the situation, which did not condemn the ice.
With his advances, Blood has been disciplined for the second time in the Ilves series. In the second meeting between the teams, the Pelicans pack tackled Lahti in the first set with a penalty kick. At that time, the disciplinary delegation was of the opinion that there was no reason for an additional cake.
Blood, who joined the Pelicans in the middle of the season, did not score a single goal in the regular season, but in the playoffs the net has now rang three times.
The Pelicans lead the semifinal series with a 2–1 win.