The top defender marveled at the decisive event after the game.
Vili Saarijärvi decided on Luko’s 2–1 victory over Tappara with his great shot. Elmeri Elo / AOP
Lukko knocked down Tappara, who won the regular season, in Rauma 2–1 and evened out the wins in the semi-finals to 1–1.
The best defender of the Finnish Champions League shot the lock to a 2-0 hit Vili Saarijärvi immediately at the beginning of the final installment.
– I still don’t know how that puck came to me in an empty place. I was able to get up in the middle when there was so much space, Saarijärvi told Iltalehti.
The situation arose when Tappara’s defender Otto Leskinen bait in your area next to the edge Charles Bertrandille. The Frenchman did not take possession of the game equipment, and after a while the puck was at Tappara’s finish. Saarijärvi’s fiery wrist shot sank Christian Heljangon glove in.
– I’m thinking about feeding first To Julius Mattila. Luckily I didn’t feed, Saarijärvi laughed.
A tremendous battle
Tappara narrowed the readings to 2-1 after the final round of 47.27. After that, Lukko was in trouble, but it took the milling of the people of Tampere.
– Every dude put the body in the league and ate the discs. In addition, “Zagi” took big battles, Saarijärvi stated, referring to Luko’s goal-playing Artem Zagidulinin.
According to Saarijärvi, Monday’s 3–5 loss in Tampere did not haunt the minds of the people of Rauma.
– That loss really didn’t bother me. We already showed in Tampere that we have a chance to win. Now we got to fix the things that didn’t work properly on Monday. Good defensive play gives more self-confidence, Saarijärvi stated.
Force majeure as a problem
If Lukko is going to drop Tappara from the sequel, the people of Rauma will have to get their game of superiority in order. In the relegation games against HPK and now in the semi-finals against Tappara, Lukko has not scored any superior goals, even though there have been 10 or 20 minutes.
– The game of superiority is clearly the thing that needs to be improved. Our underperformance has worked, but such smooth games are often resolved by overpowering goals, Saarijärvi said.
Saarijärvi was by far the most effective defender in the regular season, collecting 43 (17 + 26) power points in 52 matches. He won the Defenders Goal and Points Exchange.
Tappara and Lukko will meet next time in Tampere on Thursday. Four wins are needed for the sequel.