Ilves won the first semi-final 3–2, but TPS has taken the next three with 12-2 overall goals.
- TPS’s Jack Rodewald is looking forward to Friday night’s Ilves game.
- The Canadian promises his chain friend Juraj Slafkovsky a bright future.
- Eemil Estonia wants to play the whole of the team 60 minutes into the game.
TPS’s second chain is led by a slightly angular player Jack Rodewald. Growing up in Winnipeg, the striker got to try 10 games in the NHL and Ottawa Senators in the seasons 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Despite effective AHL seasons, the place in the legendary did not open. That’s why the man headed to the Czech Republic last season, and from there on to the bank of the Aura River this season.
The 28-year-old striker enjoys the fiery atmosphere of the playoffs.
– It’s been a lot of fun. Last year we won the championship in the Czech Republic, but due to the coronavirus, there were no fans in the stands. The atmosphere has been great now. Not only in Turku, but also in Helsinki and in this series against Ilves.
– And the sold-out hall in Turku on Wednesday was something amazing. It’s as different as playing in empty auditoriums, Rodewald glows in an interview with IL-TV.
Slafkovsky center
18-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky (right) is trying to play in the TPS finals. MIKA KYLMÄNIEMI / AOP
The Winnipeg man leads the TPS chain, where a Canadian cools down on the other side Tyler Steenbergen. On the other side is the winner of the Olympic paint exchange, Juraj Slafkovsky from Slovakia.
The striker was also the MVP of the Beijing tournament, the most valuable player, and at the age of 17 the youngest player in the tournament.
– She’s great. It’s nice to play with him while watching what he’s doing in the booth and out of the ice. He has a bright future ahead of him.
A small part
The 18-year-old striker is one of the best in his world. He will be booked in next summer’s NHL draft among the top five players.
– Juraj has played great since the Olympics. It’s nice to be a small part of the early days of his career. I think that career will last a long time, Rodewald predicts.
Slafkovsky has scored five power points in 11 playoffs. The Finnish public has a few games to admire the great talent in the League.
Next season, the striker will play in North America.
Young people lead
There are numerous young players on the TPS team, the club’s own puppies. As stakes increase, the role of experienced players often increases, as young people’s concentration may escape the wrong things.
Rodewald does not sign the claim against this team.
– Everyone has done a good job on this. Usually the more experienced steer the ship in the right direction, keeping the crew tight.
– But we have to give credit to these young people. They have been great. They lead this team as much as we do the older players, the Canadian inches.
The place of the break
The series of matches between TPS and Ilves will be interrupted for the people of Turku on Good Friday at Tampere’s lively Nokia Arena.
TPS leads the match with 3-1 victories. The lynx has its back against the wall. The team is forced to win, otherwise a futile bronze match and a summer holiday are ahead.
Ilves, who played a good regular season, won the first game 3–2, but TPS has taken the next three with 12-2 overall goals.
– The hardest part is winning when the other team is back against the wall. They do not give up easily, will be the series very game. We’re looking forward to the game and it’s great if we can break the series, Rodewald thinks.
Tappara already played himself in the finals.
Estonia: Duunia
Eemil Estonia, the defense of the Turku team, does not expect much new things from the fifth game.
– It will probably be a similar game as before. I’ll probably go harder again. Nothing comes easy, the opponent puts everything in the league guaranteed.
The people of Turku need to improve further. Skillful Ilves is hungry and dangerous.
– We have to get an intact tendon for the whole 60 minutes. We have to manage to press that raw dune, 20-year-old Estonia emphasizes.
Towards a jug
Experienced Rodewald even sees championship material at TPS.
– I believe so. We talked about it from the beginning of the season. This team is built to have the potential to win the championship.
– It really won’t be easy. There is still a lot of work to be done. But these guys are ready for the challenge, says Rodewald in a positive Canadian style.