Pelicans’ miserable scoring streak and Christian Heljanko. That’s the main factors why Tappara won the second final 2–0 and leads the series with the same numbers.
Ben Blood is the color age of the spring finals. It always happens and happens when the man from Minnesota is in the rink. TOMI NATRI / AOP
In the second final game, in 18:46, it exploded. Ben Blood first drove Casimir Jürgens to the roof with a clean open ice bomb. After that, the Pelicans pack got From Ben Thomas shock to the head area.
The Canadian pack Thomas deservedly took a shower. Blood lay on the surface of the ice for a long time and left the booth to take oxygen.
– I think it was a dirty tackle. If I did the same, I don’t know what would happen. Thank God I wasn’t more seriously injured, Blood recounted the situation.
– He hit well, the air went out and I couldn’t catch my breath for a moment. I wasn’t ready for the tackle. My neck and shoulder are sore. I know that tomorrow the places will be sore.
The Minnesota native did not undergo concussion protocol during the game.
– I didn’t lose consciousness, the air left and the places are sore.
A better destiny
34-year-old Blood is often fiery and unpredictable on the rink, but calmly analyzes the events of the final.
– We have to stay calm. The balls were not on our side today. But that’s life, that’s playoff hockey. I think we deserve a better fate. I’m proud of this team.
Not by forcing
Teemu Eronen defends the goal against Tappara’s attackers. MIKA KYLMÄNIEMI / AOP
Tappara scored the opening goal and the game-winning goal after only one minute and four seconds of play. The second goal came at the end in an empty Pelicans huddle.
– We were in the stands at the beginning and that’s where the winning goal came. We then chased hard and got the upper hand. We did have quality places to do, but, but… We need to find the medicine for that, thought the people of Lahti Teemu Eronen.
The Pelicans have scored one goal in two finals games.
That’s a big reason why the team is losing in the series. On Friday, the team got to play 11 minutes of superiority – without a result.
– Those goals don’t come by forcing them. Let’s watch some videos to see what we do in front of the goal. Let’s turn the stakes a little inwards so that they don’t rattle the posts. It’s good that Saturday’s game comes quickly, said Eronen and sharply criticized the playoff schedule.
Blood sent a message
The third final will be played on Saturday at 5 pm in Tampere. The Pelicans are facing a must-win. Under no circumstances will the team be able to rise from a 0–3 situation to the championship.
It already has a huge mountain to climb. The name of that mountain is Tappara.
– I swear that no one will fight harder than me during the rest of the season, no one will play harder. You won’t see anyone pushing my teammates this season and no one helps a guy out more than me.
– In the end season, there is no tougher team than the Pelicans, the American Blood spilled.
– We are professionals and hungry, we are ready to play on Saturday.
The third final on Saturday in the Nokia Arena will be a tough game.