If the 1st period was even on Thursday; it wasnīt today. There was only one team on the ice. Even the TV-commentators, who should have to take extensive lessions in impartiality, finally realised this in the 2nd period when it was 4-0.
HIFK again built their success through fierce defence and deadly finishing.
An old (and too often quoted)wisdom is: "when it gets tough, the tough get going". This happened again as the scorers were: 1-0 #25 Jarkko Ruutu, 2-0 #55 Christian Ruuttu but the 3-0 goal clearly exposed the full thruth about the night and about the difference in ability between the two teams.
Fourth line center #78 Kari Kalto picked up a loose puck in the center zone, fooled two Ilves players and found himself with one player and the goalie left trying to stop him from scoring. He puts the puck between the legs of the opponent to his backhand and hoists it up in the Ilves lefthand top corner. What a brilliant goal, especially as it is scored by a 19 year old 4th line center only seeing limited ice-time.
All this praise and I have not even mentioned #12 Olli Jokinen. Well, he continued were he left off Thursday scoring 2+1. This before the eyes of LA Kings GM Dave Taylor.
The "Canada Bowl", originally donated to the Finnish Hockey League by Finnish immigrants in Canada, or the "Boy" as itīs popularly called among the players could be ours this Saturday. What a thrilling perspective and NOTHING is going to keep me away from rink come Saturday 16.00.
Stars:
#1 Christian Ruuttu
#2 Jarkko Ruutu
#3 Kari Kalto