For the second time in their history, Lahti Pelicans advanced to the final of the Ice Hockey SM-League. Pelicans beat Tampere Ilves 4-2 in the semi-final series.
Lahti Pelicans are playing in the final of the Ice Hockey SM-League. Pelicans defeated Tampere Ice 3-1 and secured their place in the final with a 4-2 victory. Pelicans, who have been building a great hockey story this spring, advanced to the SM-liiga finals for the second time in their history.
Throughout the winter, the SM-liiga spring was expected to culminate in a final between Tappara and Ilves in Tampere. However, Pelicans messed up the script and stretched the game to the final.
– An incredible story. KalPa fell after a great series in six games and now even slightly outplayed Ilves, if you look at the last two games. Pelicans’ game has improved all the time, Nättinen said, explaining the Balaton team’s stunning season.
In the spring of 2012, the bay team finished in silver, when JYP was stronger in the final series with a 4–1 win.
Pelicans’ perfect start immediately put Ilves in trouble
Pelicans will take on Tampere’s Tappara in the SM league finals. The final matches start on Wednesday, April 19 in Tampere. The championship ends with four wins.
The hopes of a final in Tampere evaporated when Ilves derailed in the bronze medal match, where Helsinki IFK will meet. Ilves and HIFK will meet on Thursday, April 20 in Tampere.
04.52 1–0 Ikonen (T Vilén, E Vilén) yv\n 19.32 2–0 A Jämsen (Kangasniemi, Eronen) yv2\n 21.57 3v0 T Vilén (Haatanen, Hämäläinen)\n 44.00 3v1 Haapala (Lancaster)