The center, who defected from Tappara to HIFK’s shirt, said his skin got goosebumps during Friday’s match.
Tappara’s kit Joni Tuulola is a hard ember. On Friday, at the Nokia Arena, Tuulola took on his old teammate a couple of times Jori Lehterän with.
– Brotherly wrestling, when we got a little poked. Her nerves have been many times worse when we have been at night. I believe that in the nightlife I get under its skin even worse, Lehterä announced.
In the opening set of the match, Tuulola and Lehterä twisted behind the ax goal.
– I told him that I won the fight already, and there is no need to wrestle anymore. Jori continued to wrestle. In the third set, Jori tried a little hook and I gave back a little. It was a struggle in a good spirit, Tuulola reports.
Lehterä’s defection from last season’s champion team to its main opponent this season shook puck circles.
– An individual player, but a very good one. IFK must be glad they got him there. There are so many solutions in Jori’s feed bank that there aren’t terribly many on this planet that feed in the same way, Tuulola said.
Lehterä, who lived in his summer villa in Tampere’s Kämmenniemi last season, says that his spouse and two children, who live in Helsinki, played a significant role in the background of the club change.
– There are two big reasons for a good team and family in Helsinki, Lehterä states.
Born in December 1987 in Espoo, Lehterä began his playing career in Pitäjänmäki Tarmo (PiTa) until he moved to the Jokerien junnu for the 2002–23 season.
– I have a heart that looks like PiTa. I didn’t really think about any Jokerit stuff when I made the contract with IFK. I played 28 matches in the league for the Jokers in the 2006–07 season, so I didn’t have time to take root there.
Is playing in HIFK still a so-called status thing?
– It was like that, but now we are trying to change that thing. It’s no longer enough to play in red, but you have to hit the best on the table, and only then can you float, Lehterä acknowledged.
There was almost a party
Jori Lehterä thanked the people of Tampere for the attention he received. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Senteri made his national breakthrough in Tappara in the 2007–10 seasons. After this, a 12-year KHL and NHL gig began, until last season the man returned to Tampere and led the axebrinns to the championship.
Lehterä says that the match against Tappara was not tense.
– But this was a special job. Cool videos and good reception. At the same time, it was the first game of the season. There were quite a few irons in the fire. Glad it’s out of the way now.
Tappara remembered his ex-star with an atmospheric video compilation in the opening set of Friday’s match.
– Really great things, when we have found such things even at home. I went for chicken meat, but it didn’t quite turn out. It was cool to play.
The end result was not neat for IFK, as the team has now lost all 12 matches at the Nokia Arena, which opened in December 2021. On Friday, Tappara won Carter Camper’s 4–3 (2–2, 0–1, 2–0) with a hit in 59.41.
– It’s sad when you lose the game at that stage. Quite a good first 50 minutes. I don’t know if we were excited to win when we put an end to a little over-defending. An experienced champion team uses such places to their advantage.
IFK pulled away from really deep and took a two-goal lead in seven minutes. Shortly after this, Tappara scored two almost identical counterattack goals to level the game. The second and third sets were more passive from IFK than the clear start.
– You put pressure on your mind, but you shouldn’t be stupid.
“Shock start”
Joni Tuulola sparred with linesman Samuli Niskanen (left) on Friday at the Nokia Arena. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Tuulo had a much better taste in his mouth on Friday night than his fighting partner.
– After Carter’s goal, there was a very good feeling. For the first time this season, a real rush of emotions came out, Tuulola said.
Tappara improved significantly after the first 7 minutes.
– We were on the rack for the first ten minutes and IFK hit a couple of ovens. It was a shock start.
What happened after that?
– We got the lines together. When you win struggles on the defensive end, at some point you get to play up with the puck. We raised the level in front of the game and in the broken set it was really good playing, Tuulola answered.
IFK led 3–2 after two sets. Nick Babtiste equalized the points in 56.40.
Gas in the tank
Carter Camper scored the game-winning goal for HIFK. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Tappara, HIFK, Pelicans and Ilves are in the championship fight in the 2023–24 season in the media’s advance estimates.
On paper, HIFK looks the strongest.
– On paper it’s there, but the game is on the field, Lehterä reminded and announced that his team is not the champion favorite.
– We players do not have a pre-favorite position. It was created by the media. We are a good contender. There are opportunities if we do things right.
Lehterä’s tag with the reds is two seasons long.
– I have not come with the intention that this is my final destination. If I were to say that I would finish in 2025, I could make “villains” and wait for sheiks.
Lehter’s guy Petri Kontiola announced last season that he would quit in the spring of 2023, but now the Tampere native is hatching a comeback.
– I was thinking of playing for a long time, if the level is enough. And we try to maintain the level every day.
Lehterä was an ice hockey player in the 21st century, but now he can be characterized as a top athlete.
– I have tried to be at least a more sensible athlete. And especially a more sensible returnee.
This is a very premature question, but could you imagine yourself playing in the Jokers?
– I can’t say at all. Maybe the Seattle Kraken is closer than the Jokers, the comedian said.
How about a gig in Sweden or Switzerland?
– It depends on how things are going with the family at home. Maybe someone will send me abroad for a season.