Tappara challenged KooKoo’s goal and leveled the series. Rikard Grönborg praised the important run for the team.
Rikard Grönborg said he was proud of his own performance. Pasi Liesimaa
One decision had a huge meaning in Kouvola’s Friday night.
KooKoo already had time in the first overtime to win the third victory of the SM league final series. Joseph Berger loaded the puck into the goal, and the fourth game seemed to be decided. Some of the players had gone to the booth when the news came. Tappara challenged the goal for offside.
The challenge went through.
– I ran. I saw right away that it was offside. Upstairs [videovalmennuksessa] we look every time we come to the area. They announced immediately, Tappara’s head coach Rikard Grönborg said after the match.
There was a bit of confusion after the situation. Even the goalkeeper of Tappara Christian Heljanko thought KooKoo had won and quickly left to the side of the dressing room.
– The players were already in the booth. I had to chase them back from there, Grönborg smiled.
The challenge took on a huge role, as many more overtime rounds were played after that. The solution was only reached in 129.54, when Tapparan Oiva Keskinen scored a 3–2 winning goal.
At the same time, Tappara tied the final series at 2–2. Grönborg was proud of his own actions.
– That showed how important it is to be on the map of all situations. The difference between the two top teams can be about small after 60 regular season games.
Joy and setback
Henrik Haapala grimaced after reaching the goal. Pasi Liesimaa
For the club, both good and bad things have happened in the Tappara department in recent days.
The people of Tampere experienced a setback on Friday, when Henrik Haapala was injured. The Tappara star drifted to the finish line in the first overtime and grimaced.
– He got hit. I don’t know how serious it is. At least serious enough that he didn’t finish the match, Grönborg said and continued:
– He is a big part of our team also in the locker room. The guys did a great job taking over after his injury.
The happy news from the final series, on the other hand, was the captain Otto Rauhalan return. Rauhala is a five-time Finnish champion.
The Tappara star was injured for four matches. When Rauhala returned to the box, Iltalehti’s expert Pekka Virta described Konkar as having immediately brought more to Tappara’s moral side and level of demands.
Grönborg’s speeches showed great appreciation for Rauhala.
– Getting Rauhala back in the lineup was a huge thing for us. I can’t say enough good things about him as a leader, as a person and as a hockey player.
Why turn?
Tappara scored the winning goal in 129.54. Pasi Liesimaa
Grönborg also paid tribute to the young players who came to Tapparaa. According to him, the ability of young people to grow into strong level SM league and finals players is the reason why Tappara has been able to start the playoff series with losses, but then raise their level.
– These players learn to win big and tight games. As a team, we try to learn to be better and learn to win against really tough opponents.
The fifth match of the final series will be played on Saturday in Tampere.
