HIFK has risen from a deep hole back into the match series.
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Helsinki IFK a surprising song immediately roared from the dressing room at high volume at the end of Thursday night’s thriller.
It was the German Scorpions Wind of Change – the wind of change. The song was perfect for the situation, because in the quarter-final series between HIFK and Pelicans, the wind has suddenly turned in a big way.
Even on Tuesday night, the Pelicans were a goal away from the semifinal spot. On Thursday, HIFK went for a big robbery in the penalty slot, when the Pelicans fell 3–0 at the ice hall in Lahti. Now the series is 3–2 for the Pelicans.
“That song accidentally played after the last winning game. Now “Kotkis” was forced (Kasper Kotkansalo) to make it ring again”, revealed the captain of HIFK Jori Lehterä.
Perhaps the new power song symbolizes the new participation of HIFK in the match series.
“It seems to have stuck there, and hopefully it will for a long time. That’s what we aim for.”
of HIFK Thursday’s away victory was based on disciplined defensive play. HIFK, which played with its back against the wall, did not set out to entertain or rant.
The away team played with the good old scorched earth tactics. The rest was handled by the defensive player in a phenomenal mood Niko Hovinenwho has now kept a clean sheet for just over 104 game minutes.
“It was known that these are games with such a small goal that we cannot win with the hurlumhei game of our first games. A little sense has been found in the matter. Let’s try to continue smartly”, Lehterä said.
According to Lehterä, HIFK has been able to learn from their previous mistakes during the match series. The team has been humbled in the right way by the losses and has closed the doors dully.
“We have learned a little, moved forward and trusted in our own work. There is still a long way to go. Let’s enjoy this for 5–10 minutes and then look to the next game,” Lehterä said.
“Nothing comes for free. Here you have to twist for 60 minutes, sometimes 100 minutes and sometimes 104 minutes. It’s a tight series, but you just have to go all out.”
Profit did not come without sacrifices and bruises. HIFK put their body into the game from the beginning to the end of the match.
Lehterä also took a hit during the robbery victory. In the finals, he hit the Pelicans hard Michal Jordaniltaand remained lying in the ice for a while.
Lehterä left the changing room looking pained, and the Pelicans were not whistled for the sizzling situation.
“At least there was a little buzz in the head. I haven’t watched the situation on video, but I felt it a bit in my head. We’re fine, nothing,” Lehterä announced.
The match series continues on Saturday in the sixth quarter-final match at the Nordenskiöldinkatu ice rink.
“Now we can still play in the heat. One and a half days to fill the hall. Let’s inject a little advertisement”, Lehterä grinned.