During the six day break, in the schedule, a level of uncertainty had arisen on which of the final two teams better had kept their focus.
The first period was pretty even as both teams concentrated furiously on avoiding mistakes. Several penalties, but few scoring opportunities were produced by both teams.
Yet again, however, special situations proved to be decisive. HIFK had gained control as the game ticked away and this resulted in a forced error that lead two a two minute double minor for Ilves. HIFK capitalised on a deflection off Olli Jokinens stick.
The rest of the game was kept well in hand and as Jarkko Ruutu scored his sixth play-off goal, on a breakaway, during box-play
halfway in the 3rd - Ilves was left clawless and clueless !
Of the individual players Olli Jokinen excelled like the importance of the game. Other solid players were Ruuttu, Sihvonen and Halkidis who carried the biggest load defensively and Davidsson and Ruutu were good offensively together with Tuomainen. There´s really no reason to blame any player with the exception of #37 Nikko who in my opinion not is ready for this level of intensity and was late on several occasions.
The offensive lines did not play as well as in the last couple of games due to Caloun beeing slightly unconcentrated and Kortelainen and Hurme not seeing the ice-time they would need in order to produce. The third and fourth lines played brilliantly up to expectations.
Stars:
#1 Olli Jokinen
#2 Tim Thomas
#3 Jarkko Ruutu