The legend had calmed down after Tampere won the local game. Jani Nyman’s miraculous bounce goal reminded me of the 1997 World Cup home games.
Raimo Helminen was appointed Ilves assistant coach this week. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Raimo Helminen on Friday evening in Tampere, a harsh memory of the 1997 World Cup home games came to mind.
– God, I remember that. It was quite a heavy goal, Helminen said.
The Ilmala arena had a full World Cup house, 13,279 spectators. The crowd fell silent when the Czech Republic took a 2-1 lead against Leijon with a rebound shot – and eventually won by the same score.
Robert Reichel threw the puck from the center zone to the end zone. Jarmo Myllys moved behind his goal to stop trees, like thousands of times in his career.
Then something happened.
After passing the corner, the puck took a sharp, completely unexpected bounce and headed straight in front of the goal – where it flew Martin Prochazka.
On Friday, Ilves took a decisive 2–0 lead against Tappara, when Jani Nyman hit the puck that had taken a foul bounce from the end of the rink by the crazy keeper Christian Heljangon.
– I don’t remember that I have ever made such a good pass. The field master’s special, “Raipe” tasted good.
Underpower 100%
Jani Nyman hit a miracle bounce for Ilves’ second goal on Friday. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Helminen was relieved by his protégé’s 3–0 victory (0–0, 1–0, 2–0).
– Right from the start, playing Ilves looked good. The further the game went, the stronger it became. We got on the game all the time. We moved really well, he said.
– It’s always nice to win a local game. But it is always more special for the player. It did the work, not the coach, the legend continued.
Helminen was appointed Ilves assistant coach on Monday. Special situations were named as the man’s areas of responsibility. Ilves Alivoima has been perfect in five matches of the season.
– The overall structure is tight and good goalkeeper play is a support. It’s 100 percent up to the players. Not my fault.
Tappara played six minutes of superiority on Friday. Ilves took the conductorship of Tappara’s superiority Jori Lehterän precisely, when at best three players blocked the pass directions of the talisman.
– Yes, they were reviewed on video, mainly their number one advantage. Their second arm gets little playing time.
A surprising move
Raipe Helminen’s previous stint as Ilves’ pilot ended in dismissals. Mika heather
The fact that Helminen is behind Ilves’ bench is not surprising. Pest’s timing was a surprise.
– Such a situation came up and it was possible for me.
You have primarily applied for the position of head coach from Central Europe. Why did you grab Ilves’s blanket?
– Ilves was serious about it, so that made it easier. That’s how it always goes.
Are you Ilves’ head coach next season?
– No no no. Now let’s try to survive this season.
Everything changed
Maestro’s playing career ended in the 2007–08 season. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Helminen, who ended his playing career in the 2007–08 season, started a coaching career in Ensiaskeleet Ilves at the turn of the 2010s.
The head coaching search ended with firings in the middle of the 2012–13 season.
In about ten years, almost everything has changed in the tassel ear organization. Guardian wizards Lasse Laukkanen and JP Jansson were then and still are part of the fleet.
– The hall has changed the most. And of course, the economy has been set up quite well. It’s a big deal, because with the economy, these systems run, says Helminen.
– Ilves has wider material than in a long time. There is competition, which is a very good situation, he continues.
The yellow greens are at the top of the series after five rounds of games. Series points are equal to the maximum, i.e. fourteen.
– You don’t get anything for free. If you don’t prepare carefully, the beak will come.
On Saturday, Ilves plays in Lahti.