In his return match, Petri Kontiola will face Ilves, his club from last season.
Mika Kylmäniemi, AOP
Petri Kontiola, 39, said goodbye to the puck rinks last spring with a bronze medal around his neck, but now the skilled attacker is back in the SM league.
The circle closed when Kontiola returned to Tappara on Friday evening. He played the first matches of his professional career in Tappara in the 2003–04 season.
On top of everything, Kontiola was immediately welcomed by Ilves, which he represented in the last two seasons. Kontiola also immediately got into the top chain when he got his wings Veli-Matti Savinainen and Anton Levtchin.
Despite the fine control of Tappara, Ilves scored the only goal of the opening set of the local game. From a direct attack, the puck rolled into the net Simon Stránský.
Ilves keeper was also one of the highlights of the opening set by Jonas Gunnarsson a handsome glove save with which he blocked almost certainly by Nick Halloran goal in the opening minutes.
Kontiola’s opening game of the season did not contain miracles, but a few insightful passes were seen from him. It didn’t take long for the score to open, as Kontiola passed Levtchi’s shot to equalize 1-1 at the beginning of the second period.
A special detail in the local game is the small number of Ilves fans in their own end. The normally loud Ilves fans clearly fell behind their neighbors in the cheering competition.
In addition to Tampere’s local game, four other matches will be played in the SM league on Friday. On the Mesti side, Jokerit–Kiekko-Espoo is a treat.