Vaasan Sport thanked its record audience of the season (4,294) by fighting for a 3–2 victory over Tappara.
There was still time left on Jussi Tapola’s clock when Tappara got the puck in at the end. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Sport scored all their goals with superiority, and the defender who hit twice became the decisive factor Emil Johansson.
– We got a full-looking hall and a good hockey event, Sport’s head coach Risto Dufva rejoiced at the press conference.
– With Tappara’s strong offensive game, you can be at your wits’ end. As soon as we were on our heels, we were in trouble, but I am satisfied with the team’s performance, he added.
At the very end of the match, Sport was about to lose the full point pot, when Tappara missed a free goal after the start of the attacking zone Brother Matti Savinainen dunked the puck Rasmus Reohila behind.
After a video review, the equalizer was disallowed, as it was determined to have occurred after the game time expired.
– There was still time on my watch. The league needs to examine that situation very carefully. Who bears the responsibility, it’s good to find out after such an event, Tappara’s head coach Jussi Tapola demanded at the press conference.
Made by Liiga C More’s broadcast paint composition based on that, the game clock shows 00:00 even before Savinainen receives the pass, and he only got the puck in from the rebound of his own shot.
– I didn’t have any time on the clock, Dufva responded to Tapola’s criticism.
Strong Sport
Tapola acknowledged that the people of Vaasa deservedly won.
– Sport was strong in wrestling and skating. The hunger and desire to win shined from Sport all evening. They were ahead of us in that, he admitted.
The loss was the fourth for Tappara, who continue in the league, only the second in the last nine matches.
Sport climbed past JYP and KooKoo to 12th place, and the leaders HIFK and HPK are just one point away.