Luko’s Tarmo Reunanen and Tappara’s Joni Tuulola both regretted the tackle situation that caused the out.
Tarmo Reunanen got sent off. Elmeri Elo / AOP
In the battle for the top between Tappara and Luko, we saw a big penalty, when Lukon spoke Tarmo Reunanen were driven out Joni Tuulolaan as a result of a hit tackle in the final set.
Tuulola came to the situation behind the goal with his head very low, and Reunanen hit him in the back. After the tackle, Reunanen was clearly surprised by the verdict.
– The head must have hit my back. Well, it’s also a certain tackle aimed at the head, Reunanen comments on the situation.
Also Luko’s head coach Marko Virtanen wondered what happened.
– One reaches for the puck and the other has already locked down how he will go at it. I don’t know what else our players could have done in that.
Tappara defender Tuulola himself admitted that he played the situation badly.
– I was in a bad position and I reached for the puck. I don’t think it was an attempt to harm. I drove by pretty badly.
– I have a feeling that the hit was in the upper body, Tuulola estimates.
Neck stuck
Tuulola was able to continue the game. Stock photo. Elmeri Elo / AOP
However, Tuulola returned to the rink very soon after the tackle, even though tackles aimed at the head have been thoroughly investigated after the hit.
– I went to do short tests in the booth, and there was nothing in my head. Necks and shoulders are a bit stuck.
The junior world champion reduced the game to 2–3 when Tappara played a five-minute advantage.
– It’s nice that it didn’t get worse. Of course, it was a little disturbing that the same guy scored a goal after a couple of minutes with an overpowering goal, Reunanen regretted.
Lukko finally won the match 5–2.
Story edited at 10:25 p.m.: Corrected that Tuulola’s goal came with a five-minute advantage.