There was a warm atmosphere at the press conference.
Risto Dufva was about to return home. Tomi Natri / All Over Press
The Jokers’ season ended with disappointment. Lahti turned out to be too hard for it, and the Pelicans took the qualifying series with a 4-1 win.
At the press conference of the series, the match was chosen by a warm atmosphere as head coaches Risto Dufva and Sami Kapanen met for the last time.
– I have a very grateful mind that I was able to be involved in experiencing one. For Sam, I can sincerely give congratulations, Dufva said and squeezed his Pelicans colleague from the shoulder.
– I am grateful to my colleagues, the whole club community and fans. A unique experience for such a long line for a hockey man.
Dufva said he had already retired last spring. However, he rolled over. The Jokers’ season began in a special way when Dufva jumped into the head coach’s boots right at the beginning of the Mestis season.
– Above all, I am grateful home. In September, I went to take the trash bag. Now I will come back. Thanks to Anne’s wife for this permission to leave home, Dufva continued.
Kapanen praised Pelicans
Pelicans’ Antti Tyrväinen and Jokeri Juhamatti Aaltonen changed a few words after the last game. Tomi Natri / AOP
Dufva admitted that Pelicans was a better team in the series.
– On the other hand, I have nothing bad to say about my own team. Must be accepted. Everyone did their best. We may have had bad luck on the way – also internally.
Kapanen, who congratulated the Dufva and the Jokers for the season.
– This series was as expected. After all, the pressure space is big for both. They had a very clear plan to apply for a place and it needed profits. The Lahti game was always different from the Helsinki game, Kapanen started.
– There was a huge difference in how the Jokers played at the beginning and end of the series.
Finally, Kapanen thanked the Pelicans’ lead.
The last four weeks have been the biggest pressure I’ve been involved with. I want to thank the organization. All kinds of speeches have been spoken in public. I assure and swear that there is an incredible amount of caring towards Pelicans, Kapanen said.
Article Bread text and title edited at 10:36 pm: corrected Dufva quotation. Dufva said that at the beginning of September, he went to take the trash bag and now returns home.