3 VS 2
3 VS 2
Jere a King !
HIFK 3 TPS 2 1999-03-04
A real hockey game for a change. Games vs. TPS always are physical and exiting to watch. The first period was probably the best seen this year in Helsinki. Speedy hocke with intensity and controversial situations. Kings holdout Aki Berg started a havoc by boarding HIFK´s Caloun in a near illegal fashion. Karalahti retaliated and over the first 20 minutes. Both Berg and Karalahti
showed Kings GM, Dave Taylor, present in the stands that they belong in the NHL.
TPS took the lead late in the period as Kiprusoff fed Lius to the goalmouth for an easy score past Tim Thomas. The second period was HIFK´s. The equaliser was a, tasty, deflection by Tom Laaksonen on passes from M.Ruutu and Rajala. The go-ahead goal was an example of Mika Kortelainen at his best. A rush in towards goal despite TPS defenders hanging on his shirt and putting in his own rebound. It´s a real asset for the play-offs to have Kölli back in the line-up.
What turned out to be the winning goal was a result of heavy forechecking by the Nieminen line and determination by #33 Markku Hurme, scoring his 20th of the season.
A nice win on a mental level - a storm warning has been given. 2 Players were ejected from each team for fighting - largely a result of referee Mäkelä´s underachievement. #75 Toni Mäkiaho showed bad judgement by raising his arms in a victory gesture after his fight with Ahola. Bad judgement ? , yes, since last season he was handled an extra suspension by the League for putting the game in disrepute. 5 game suspension likely as he´s been suspended twice already earlier this season.
Stars:
*** Karalahti
** Kortelainen
* Kultanen