It would be too easy to compare Tampere’s NHL matches with regular SM league matches, but in this case it is worth remembering the uniqueness of the event, writes Riku Isokoski from Tampere.
Cale Makar is one of the biggest stars of the NHL event in Tampere. Petri Saarelainen / AOP
Superstars, Yankee mood, highly entertaining hockey and an excellent match event.
The NHL’s visit to Tampere is built on these basic elements, and without a doubt, at least the first match of the weekend was a complete success as entertainment.
Many spectators must have thought during Friday’s match that this is how hockey should be – speed, situations and twists and turns with continuous passing.
Many are also certainly ready to compare this NHL event with their own experiences from SM league matches. However, it’s not worth it.
The entertainingness of the SM league, or the lack of it, has been prominently displayed this fall, but it’s not worth adding gas from an NHL-branded canister to that mess.
However, let’s remember that the NHL is only in the village, and the weekend matches have a special expectation value. This is indeed a rare treat, and the people who paid dearly for their tickets want to take the joy out of this for real.
NHL regular season matches are not normally this successful in terms of entertainment value, and even in the world’s best league, dead-end battles are played.
Finnish hockey fans can now witness the world’s best defenseman up close Cale Makarin great performances and great play by the Colorado Avalanche. They are also a rare treat by the basic standards of the NHL.
However, according to Toivo, the management of the SM league has closely followed the match events in Tampere on the spot and taken things to be learned.
However, the NHL is very good at creating sports entertainment, and the game in the rink is built to serve this purpose. Above all, however, the brightest individuals are in the center.
Another anecdote: the Finnish audience still seems to have a lot to learn about American ways.
When Blink-182’s All the Small Things, which became a cult song in Colorado, began to roar as usual at the end of the match, the loud collective chant that is traditionally heard in Denver was now limited to only a few spectators.