Tappara havenīt beaten HIFK away for some five years and they didnīt yesterday either.
A very straight forward and speedy opening, by HIFK, ment that the game was expedited in less than 10 minutes.
The remainder of the game was no propaganda as Tappara continued
to play poorly and HIFK toned down their intensity.
HIFK missed several players due to suspensions (Halkidis 3 games,
Tuomainen 2 games and Karalahti 3 games). Christian Ruuttu was scratched with an undisclosed injury. Jarkko Ruutu acted captain in Ruuttuīs absence.
Increased ice time for Sihvonen, Elomo and especially Laaksonen proved worthwile as they tried for 60 minutes unlike the regular stars.
Stars:
#1 Miika Elomo
#2 Toni Sihvonen
#3 Tom Laaksonen