Tappara experienced a cruel humiliation – that’s how he became a master

December 3, 2021, went down in history as a gruesome humiliation. Ilves found Tappara 6–3 in the opening match of the oven-fresh Nokia arena.

– That game was a turning point. The doors and windows open came with paints of their own, head coach Jussi Tapola recalled.

– We got ugly in that Ilves game. It was a shame, it was a spring player Joona Luoto compass.

In December, Tappara was still ninth. Then everything changed. The Ilves revenge came with a dazzling 7-0 victory.

– We had a meeting, and since then I think we have been the best team in this series, Tapola now revealed a gold medal around his neck.

– Fortunately, the second game came quickly. We just started playing. The way we went to that second Ilves game determined the rest of the season. The attitude that is on this team certainly came from that moment as well. ViTelä’s more in this championship, however, is that the roles are clear and we manage to print things out on a broad front, Kristian Kuusela estimates.

The championship came after a convincing 4-1 win from TPS.

“I felt it right away”

Tappara’s team was loaded with full quality players. Part had to be left on the side of the auditorium. For example Charles Bertrand recorded the winning goal in the second final in Turku, but did not fit in the playoffs.

Bones on the back lines of Tappara Brady Austin was a steadily confident performer throughout the season. The big Canadian was not the same line scare as in the Czech league, but adapted well to the SM league.

– It feels amazing to be a champion. When I arrived in the summer, we immediately set our goals high. We pulled under a hard workout.

– From the very beginning, I felt that this is a special team. I just felt it.

Austin heard good things from a couple of acquaintances in Tampere who had played in Ilves.

– I heard that Tappara had been a top team for a long time. Everything seemed like a good and great opportunity for my career. That was really true, Austin felt.

From the Nokia arena, Tappara headed to Tampere for the night. As late as Thursday night, Austin had no idea how the Finns were celebrating the championship.

– I think it’s going to be late, he grinned.