While Sittler’s line has been shut down by Jarvis, except on the power play, the Leafs’ checking line has done the same to Lemaire, Lafleur, and Shutt, giving the Leafs enormous confidence. For it was here that they worried they would be badly outmatched. But now that each shift that passes that shows they aren’t, an excited feeling builds and spreads among their players – they now think they can play with us. The quality of the game improves, and the Leafs begin to take over. Suddenly, Napier intercepts a clearing pass and scores. Thirty seconds later, his linemate Hughes does the same. The effect is crushing. – - – They have stopped the Lemaire line, they have made our defense look ordinary. But within thirty seconds, two players they didn’t know would play have put them out of the game. At this moment, the Leafs players, those on the bench and those on the ice, are saying to themselves, ”There’s no way we can ever beat this team”.
- Ken Dryden: The Game
I know, Erä is no Montreal Canadiens, Nokian KrP is no Toronto Maple Leafs and this is no NHL in the 70’s.
But some patterns never change in sports. There are good teams and there are underdogs who suddenly stand up and shake the good teams but get beaten in the end because the good teams have the bredth and the routine.
With two games in the quarter-finals, Erä now has two wins against Nokia. One in penalty shootout, one in overtime. Talk about thrillers. Game three at 1830 on Friday in Mosahalli.
The Canadiens went on to win the Stanley Cup that year.
We don’t know where Erä or Nokia will end up this year. Because the series is still undecided. In Tapanila, they hope that the analogy holds.
Enjoying Mikko Pasanen's overtime goal
Finishing first in the regular season means nothing in itself. (It does, actually. The chance to choose your quarter-final opponent and some money, too.)
Still, it’s not time for celebration yet. The big games are just ahead.
But it is another bucket of self-confidence. Especially, when you’ve ended the regular season by beating reigning champions SSV again. Again in overtime.
A moment Mikko Pasanen will not forget. Scoring your first goal in the league. In overtime. Against the champions.
Mikko Hyvärinen has got a hundred pics.
Everybody looks like they knew he would score on the penalty shot
Against Oilers, Erä saw a comfortable 4-1 lead melt away. Five minutes into the third period, the home team scored twice within six seconds to make it 6-5.
Bad.
But that’s when big players stand up.
With five minutes left, Erä got a penalty shot and Jani Helenius walked out to take it. And put in on the top corner behind Niko Nordström.
Fourty seconds into overtime, Pasi Laitila brought the ball over the line and passed to center to Jani Helenius. Yep, top corner again, and two important points.
Erä now leads the league by two points and has a superior goal difference. Classic Tampere is still a threat for the regular season but they have to take at least three points of four possible in their remaining two games. Counting that Erä would not beat SSV next Friday.
SSV, next Friday.
Happy together
Lauri Kapanen scored two himself and assisted three of Markus Bollström’s four against OLS. The score? 11-1.
With a roster like this, who do you play?
Some coaches would kill for such a problem.
It's okay, Jaakko Rissanen can still handle the ball, Sami Lehtinen notices.
Jaakko Rissanen, back from an autumn studying in Austria, scored in his first Salibandyliiga game of the season. On Sunday against Josba, Markus Bollström did his first full 60 minutes of the season and performed solidly as always. Markus Huhtimo will soon be back after his knee injury. Youngsters Jiri Tikkanen and Tomi Palin have proved themselves ready to play anyone, anytime.
Only six players max out there simultaneously, there will be class on the bench, too. Everyone’s got to work hard and earn their spot on the line-up.
No wonder head coach Petteri Bergman smiles.
MOSAN OMAT is
a webzine covering Tapanilan Erä Floorball — by Tapanilan Erä Floorball.
Check out Erä Floorball
tapanilanera.fi »
Citizen of Facebook,
become a fan of Erä!
Kyllä, on täällä kamaa myös suomeksi!
Share on Facebook
RSS feed in English