Lahti’s hockey fans were jubilant on Thursday night as Pelicans beat Tampere’s Ilves 3-1 to secure their place in the final. Aatu Jämsen was one of the key players in the match.
The expectations of Lahti Pelicans fans were fulfilled on Thursday night as Pelicans sent Ilves into the summer break and secured their place in the finals with a 3-1 victory. The series went to Pelicans by 4-2.
– Home town, full hall and going to the finals after a long wait, a great feeling, says Jämsen after the match.
Jämsen thanks the Pelicans fans for the great atmosphere.
– There was quite a sea of \u200b\u200bturquoise in the hall. I’ve never seen anything like that before. It felt really good to see such an audience.
Jämsen is looking forward to meeting Tappara.
– Maybe I still can’t understand what has happened. I will surely remember this for the rest of my life, but there is still one and even more wonderful step to take. Towards that next, Jämsen referred to the upcoming finals against Tappara.
The victory came with a brave game, even though the stakes were high and the pressure was great.
– We knew the bet, but it didn’t help to get excited because our good puck game would have disappeared. We just had to continue what we had done all season, Jämsen continued.
Pelicans led the match from the start
In previous matches, Ilves started the first set with a strong grip. The Pelicans started off with a strong hold in the deciding game.
– We started with the mentality that we will go well in the first round. They have been challenging for us, because Ilves has been good in eco batches. We started the opposite way, that we controlled the game and then we got the big and important goals and that certainly made it easier for us to play, reflects Jämsen.
Jämsen has played well in his first full league season with the Pelicans.
– Last season, you couldn’t break into the men’s lineup for the whole season. Now I have been able to take that place and I have found good chemistry. Now we are in a situation where there are only two gangs left and what better than to go after the first place.
Jämsen has always liked sports training, but the decisive development step was found outside the ice.
– I have invested my strength in training, eating and sleeping. I have taken big steps through it.
Jämsen has the NHL in his sights, but first he still has to hone his own strengths. A new two-year contract with the Pelicans helps here.