1 VS 3
1 VS 3
Bizarre !
TPS 3 HIFK 1, 1999-04-13
As always, HIFK away on the telly, meant problems. The opening stages of the game looked promising, but it was only in the last second Rafalski capitalised. At least I thought he did, but it turned out that we ran out of time. This wasn´t documented in any way on the TV and to me it looked as no one had a clue how it really was.
The second period was again dominated by HIFK, but TPS goalie played like a miracle in his crease and stop all but one shot by #75 Mäkiaho. Counting scoring chances it could have been easily a goal or two more.
The game was however decided by a shortcut in #25 Jarkko Ruutu´s head as he very unnecessary removed his goal of the moorings for an well deserved delay of game penalty resulting in a hard shot by LA Kings holdout Aki Berg being deflected in past a sprawling Tim Thomas. Shortly after that the game turned as TPS again capitalised on an HIFK error. Delay of game again, as there were too many men on the ice. Yet again TPS capitalised on the pp.
The empty netter that finalised the score again was a result of an happy go lucky attempt on the blue by all-star defender Rafalski.
Yesterday´s Starting Lines:
Tuomainen / Borsato / Caloun
Kortelainen / Sihvonen / Nieminen
Mäkiaho / Ahonen / J.Ruutu
Kalto / Baker / Laaksonen
Kultanen / Karalahti
Lydman / Rafalski
Nikko / Rajala
Thomas