HIFK took a convincing victory over Tappara.
HIFK took a convincing victory over Tappara. Matti Raivio / AOP
On Wednesday, Helsinki IFK showed one of its most impressive performances of the season and beat league leader Tappara 6–3.
Olli Jokinen the group started the final round with a 1-2 deficit, but broke a four-goal rush in seven minutes and ran away to a sensational victory.
At the same time, Tappara’s seven-match winning streak was broken, and HIFK’s recently started upward trend received a new confirmation. The team from Helsinki, which has dug itself out of the bottom mud of the season, has now collected points in six consecutive matches.
Tappara shingles
For a long time, the picture of the match looked like a routine victory for Tappara. In particular, the second set was a massive landslide by the people of Tampere: HIFK had to keep their ground in a situation where the opponent shot no less than 35 times by Hugo Alnefelt guarded goal. Of these, 20 were marked as saves for the Swedish goalkeeper.
According to Jokinen, the team hung in thanks to their goalkeeper.
– For the first ten minutes of the second period, we were on the ropes. We bent a few times, but we didn’t break. Hugo was incredible and kept us in the game, Jokinen assessed at the press conference after the match.
Tappara could have already decided the match at that point, but Alnefelt stretched time after time. When the final set came, HIFK had, according to Jokinen, “real faith that there is still a way to win”.
The Seven Minute Storm
Anttoni Uronen scored the first SC league goal of his career. Matti Raivio / AOP
In the final set, the puck found its way into Tappara’s net for the first time in 47:06, when Sean Josling surprised Christian Heljangon with his quick shot. That started an avalanche that Tappara could no longer stop.
Less than two minutes later, the golden helmet Daniel Mäkiaho ran away in a superior attack. The first attempt stopped, but the return puck definitely ended up going in.
The home team’s grip only got stronger. Otto Sompi completed the next hit, and shortly after that the only 17-year-old emerged Anttoni Uronenwho scored the first SC league goal of his career with a stylish rise from behind the goal.
– I am really proud of Uros. He hasn’t wavered at league pace for a moment and is making a name for himself. It was great to see that he got his first goal, Jokinen praised.
HIFK finally scored five goals in the final set, when Petrus Palmu finished the match The final readings were empty.
HIFK rose above the playoff line
The victory moved HIFK to 12th place in the standings, just above the playoff limit. Jokine did not hide his pride after the match.
– I am really proud of the team. Players fought and blocked bets. We had a young lineup, but the first set brought confidence. We knew we could challenge the best team in the league.
The self-sacrificing defensive play mentioned by Jokinen was especially visible at the end, when Vincent Marleau blocked a shot under pressure from Tappara that could have narrowed the gap.