Les Lancaster brought down Tappara with his two goals.
Les Lancaster fanned twice on Friday night after scoring. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
– It was a wild game after such events. We got the result we wanted. It’s been a hard week. There has been a lot of outside feeling. It was good for us to come here to the arena, focus on the match and play a good 60 minutes.
That’s what Ilves’ star defender did Les Lancaster his feelings on Friday evening, when Tappara fell 4–1 in the Nokia Arena.
On Wednesday, the league leader showed the door to the head coach A crowd for Myrra and to this assistant To Marko Ojas. Antti Pennanen took the helm until the spring of 2025 with a slip.
How did you personally experience the firing of the head coach?
– That was hard. We have created relationships and those relationships have been good. But this is business, and we can’t influence those things, the Yankee replied.
Two weeks ago Raimo Helminen became Ilves’ assistant coach.
– Game-wise, no serious change has taken place. There will certainly be small things tactically and technically next week. We are the number one team in the league, so not much needs to change.
The face of the evening
The Yankees have scored 3+4=7 power points in ten league games this season. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Lancaster was Tappara’s downfall on Friday, when he scored two goals with superiority.
– The first one was a bit lucky when it hit something on the way. I shoot a lot with superiority when there is room. I’ve always said that when you get the puck in the goal, good things happen, Lancaster scored Ilves’ 2-0 goal.
– The second hit was a great shot and it had a good mask. It’s what we’ve been practicing, the defender said about the 3–1 goal.
The man noisily fanned his second hit of the evening.
– We were underpowered for almost the entire set. The energy was different at that point. That third goal turned the momentum for us and killed their mood. They accomplished almost nothing after that.
Lancaster debuted in Tampere last season. The deal expires next spring.
– Too early to think about next season. I love being in Ilves. If I play in Finland, I can’t see myself playing anywhere else but Ilves. Great team, city and arena.
After the previous Tappara fall, Ilves settled in Lahti, and after the Kärpät scalp, the coat was owled in Kuopio.
– We’ve had a bit of trouble in the second game after a big match. I’m not saying they’ve been the worse teams, but the teams we should beat.
On Saturday, the yellow greens will face the Jyväskylä team at home. The JYP match starts at 19:31. The exceptional start time dates back to the year Ilves was founded.
– Tomorrow is a bit more rest than usual. It’s a good thing it’s a home game. You don’t have to sit on the bus, so that’s an advantage for us. Focus and passion take center stage on Saturday.