4 VS 0
4 VS 0
Backup Bäckström Blanks Blues
HIFK 4 Blues 0 1999-03-09
Bäckström got the opportunity as Thomas had injured his ankle. In his 14th appearance this season,Niklas Bäckström, (8-0-5) recorded his first shutout (11 saves) of the season. He´s #4, in the league, in GAA (1.95) and save percentage (92.50). Not bad for a 21 year old.
The two referee system (Savolainen-Repo), again, proved to be less succesful. The main problem, however, seems to be the synchronising of the officiating. Today, Repo gave a lot of "easy" penalties whereas the more experienced Savolainen hardly saw any fouls. Some more practise should help solve the problem.
D Toni Lydman made a welcome comeback, but D Ville Siren (elbow) and C Jamie Baker (mild concussion) where out nursing their injuries.
The game itself followed the normal script. Blues tried hard, but did not get anywhere close of fighting for a win despite being only a goal down for the better part of the game. Former HIFK players Christian Ruuttu and NiklasHagman could not stop their former teammates. Ruutu saw a lot of icetime, but was really tame tonight. Hagman was rarely on the ice.
There was never a question on who´d win the game and as HIFK outmastered, yet again, the Blues in every field of a hockey game one record stands; the Blues have never beaten HIFK in Helsinki.
Former HIFK-er Darren Boyko, currently with the "Hockey Hall of Fame" in Toronto, presented his former linemate, #22 Mika Kortelainen with the "Most Reliable Player Award" and for scoring the GWG and posting a nifty game. He deserves my three stars, as well. The standing ovation Boyko got was well deserved and I´m positive there are many of us who think it was a disgrace Boyko(476 171+236=407), after 11 seasons with HIFK between 1985-96, was not recognised with a farewell game in the spring of 1996.
Mika Nieminen scored twice and has been a little bit in the shadow of Caloun and Rafalski, in my ranking lately, so he gets my two **´s.
We´ve got Rafalski, Karalahti, but #21 Jarno Kultanen really has stepped up several notches in the team depth chart. Tonight he put home the rebound on Ahonen´s shot for 2-0, but most of all - his skating - is second only to Rafalski. What we have needed is players who bring the puck in to the zone for Caloun, Hurme, Kortelainen & Co to pass. Kultanen is filling the void behind #3 and #77 and subsequently he´s on a points streak in my ranking. Third game in a row the last * is his.
Stars:
*** Kortelainen
** Nieminen
* Kultanen