“That analysis is too simple”

The first two rounds were Tappara’s crushing superiority. After 40 minutes, the shots were 54–8 and the goals 5–1.

Although HIFK was able to get into their game in the final set when the hosts were already sparing, the match was from Tappara statement to this series.

Iltalehti’s ice hockey expert Pekka Virta however, distance himself from the drastic conclusion.

– In the playoffs, the world side has had such overwhelming victories and big losses. They don’t tell as much about power relations as you feel at that moment, he reminds.

The most legendary pendulum series of the SM league was played in the 1981 finals. Kärpät evened the series with a 6–1 home win, but Tappara responded with a terrible score of 13–2. It was one win away from the championship, until Kärpät cleared again at home 6–1 and finally claimed a decisive victory over Tampere with 5–2 goals.

Not a big change

Of course, times and the discipline of the game have changed, but Virta stands by his opinion.

– This was a strong game from Tappara, but it was also in relation to the opponent and IFK was not good by any measure.

– In my opinion, however, this did not change the power relations from what they were at the beginning of the series. I don’t think either team reacts to a single match as strongly as the public reacts.

– IFK played two good and even hockey games against Tappara and won the second one, Virta reminds of the first games of the series in Helsinki.

– Now they lost the first away. The starting situation was that if they can win one of these three away games, then the situation is still very good.

With even one away win, HIFK would get six games in their home hall. A win would move the decision to the seventh match in Tampere, which would pile up the pressure on the pre-favorite Tappara.

– Tappara was really well charged, and it was already stronger in advance for this series. In that sense, nothing irreversible happened to IFK.

– Of course, I emphasize that they should fill up their already weaker roster.

HIFK’s absences

HIFK was missing four main strikers on Wednesday (Eetu Koivistoinen, Juha Jääskä, Sebastian Dyk and Miro Väänänen) and the defender Ilari Melart.

– When such big players are missing, it can’t help but have an impact on the mental side. Defense is not HIFK’s strength compared to Tappara, and if Melart is taken out, it will take a little more than one out of six or one out of seven. Melarti’s essence and charisma are certainly big within the team.

First center Koivistoinen was sidelined until the end of the match.

– “Koipa’s” absence was bad, when Jääskä, one of the center forwards, was already on the sidelines. It made building chains difficult.

The return of absentees, even to some extent, would be vital for HIFK in the future. Väänänen, who has served his suspension of at least three matches, will play in the fourth match on Friday.

– In terms of HIFK, the break is now in a good place, Virta says.

Tappara heals

Even if HIFK’s line-up concerns would be alleviated, of course Virta does not consider it to be any kind of automation that it would get involved in a realistic battle for victory in the series.

– The fact is that Tappara is improving all the time. They have almost five fields of players, and the more they get the game under and successes, the challenge of IFK will not get any easier.

However, one could expect HIFK to settle down and gain at least a touch more self-confidence from their performance in the third period.

– You can’t win anything with any temper, but you can’t get discouraged. And I don’t think IFK will be discouraged, says Virta.

– Their season has contained a lot of things. At the point when they are least believed in, they have always risen.

Pelicans seam

The second semifinal series Ilves–Pelicans continues on Thursday with the situation 1–1. This series will also be played three times in a row in Tampere.

– The smaller one wins one out of three, if it doesn’t agree to the rules of the bigger one, says Virta figuratively.

He means that the Pelicans – as well as HIFK – should not let the pre-favorite from Tampere roll with his wide material. The underdogs have to take advantage of their own its momentumsuch as for example force majeure.

The Pelicans can try to control the puck by pacing the game like the Lions at their best – that is, by sometimes also playing down.

– The breaks give Pelsu the opportunity to go into the game refreshed after a good win. In my opinion, it’s a big opportunity for them when Ilves is under pressure to succeed in front of the home crowd.

– Pelsu has shown that the game of superiority works, the spirit is huge and the story can grow no matter how big.

Still, the Pelicans didn’t do well away to KalPa.

– And the challenge is even tougher now. You have to keep the focus on the fact that whatever happened – even if it’s the same as now for IFK – it won’t end anything yet.

– That analysis is too simple, that the other has no chance, Virta says from the point of view of the underdogs HIFK and Pelicans.

– After all, they both showed when everyone thought there were no chances, and won that second match.

Is faith enough?

However, the probabilities are on the side of Tappara and Ilves.

– The best-of-seven series is merciless in that the stronger and wider material usually wins it.

Otherwise, something extraordinary should happen.

– Let’s just say that Pelsu probably doesn’t mind if the game is a little broken. In order not to go head to head with the bigger’s rules, Virta avoids underdogs.

A lot is also caught between the ears.

– When you play against a stronger one, you fight with it all the time, whether it is disbelief or genuine faith.