It was not a very happy homecoming for long time hero, Mika Kortelainen, who was stripped of his "C" earlier in the week in Ruuttus favour. An anonynomous existence on the 3rd line in the shadow of line mates #15 Laukkanen and #34 Bergland who both had an exellent game. The fanclub stand B2 gave "Kölli" an enourmous welcome ahead of the and standing ovations after the game. "Im sure that all we longtime HIFK fans are sorry on your behalf Mika".
It was a happy homecoming for home favorites #25 Ruutu and #27 Laaksonen back from injuries. These to members of the heavy artillery were a proven force in the line-up.Welcome back.
The show must go on...A fantastic performance by HIFK ! Full control of the game and three beautiful goals. (The last one beeing an empty-netter)As my commentator friend and brother Mr H.Dune so well stated: "HIFK hasn´t won a game vs. Jokerit playing their own game probably for five years".
Nevertheless Jokerit was lost from the beginning as they had tremendous problems in coping with the high checking HIFK tactics and the physical play.
The odd local derby nervs were shown when #8 Linna and Jokerit´ Tuulola had a short and pretty even bout in the second period.
I´ve on purpose left the candy last : King Ruuttu and his wingers Jan Caloun and Tuomainen were brilliant together with Rafalski and Puolanne on the blue. With play like in this one they´ll easily challenge any other line in the league and Ruuttu´s game winner taught everybody a lesson in skill and chill in the right spot: 2-1 Ruuttu with the puck let the goalie open his top left shelf and BOOM a hard well placed wristshot in the roof of the net.
The deadly powerplay unit produced the 1st goal that opened the way Caloun from the left face-off circle back to Ruuttu on the blue- across to Rafalski and slapshot - IN THE NET !
The referee trio was responsible for the Jokerit goal as they failed to notice that the puck was inside Patrick Juhlin´s player jersey and therefore play should have been whistled off. Also in numerous other situations they failed to cope with the pace and intensity of the game resulting wrong calls and even worse in left out icings, two-line passes and offsides
Stars:
#1 Ruuttu
#2 Caloun
#3 Rafalski