Ice hockey | HIFK’s record-long point streak was broken in Kuopio: “We had the keys to win, but we messed up”

KalPa–HIFK 3–2

Helsinki IFK’s point streak in the Ice Hockey League was broken at 16 games, when KalPa defeated IFK on Friday evening in Kuopio with 3–2 goals.

“There was such a weak five-minute period in the third period. We had the keys to win, but we messed up a bit,” IFK’s golden helmet Eetu Koivistoinen said referring to the two KalPa goals.

Aleksi Klemetti and Aapeli Räsänen scored for the hosts just over a minute apart. Iiro Pakarinen narrowing in the last seconds Take Rantakari from a brilliant pass brought IFK even closer to the goal.

Koivistoinen completed IFK’s 1-1 equalizer in the middle of the game with a sure-fire shot in By Robin Rahm to the flipper hand side. After the goal, he gave a warm hug Niilo from Halo.

Did IFK’s second striker give the decisive tip to score, i.e. was it a thank you?

“Didn’t give a tip. I put 2/2 on the glove side with ice heat, so I thought I would put the third in the game,” Koivistoinen answered.

“As Halonen himself said, it was really nice to get some screen time myself.”

Sword scored his opening goal after Juuso Könönen came across prepared to fight Roope Taponenknocked him down and Oliver Kapanen placed the puck inside.

IFK challenged the verdict, which did not change after a long video review. Was it easy to continue the game after that?

“It was quite easy then. The judges are professionals and know the rules. We will go according to them and it was their view that there was no interference with the goalkeeper,” Koivistoinen answered.

“When we challenged, we might have had a different opinion.”

The golden helmet reminded that IFK played better in Kuopio than on Wednesday as a guest of HPK.

“I think we were much better prepared at the beginning of the game, we were able to attack for a long time and eat them up [KalPan] start off.”

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“When we challenged, we might have had a different opinion.”

IFK had left no points before Friday last on December 13 at home against Rauma Lukko. The 16-game point streak that started after that equals the club’s league record from the fall of 1979.

During the Christmas break, IFK played in the traditional Spengler Cup in Switzerland. Many players, for example Kristian Vesalainen After the Lukko game, has considered the tournament as an important factor in IFK’s progress. What was left of Davos in the end?

“Exactly what many have said – courage to play and pass the puck, that it’s not just about pushing the puck forward”, Koivistoinen answered.

“I felt that especially the first Örebro game was a bit of a hurlumhei game. Maybe they realized that we can really challenge tough teams and play with the puck. Everyone got a good confidence boost there.”

Koivistoinen singled out the Ässät away game and the Jukurit home game before the break as equally important matches, which ended with IFK’s victories.

“Yes, it started from there and the courage was visible, but we got a good confirmation of it on the trip, when we were able to skate, pass, deflect and score goals.”

Next once IFK is in real action on Wednesday, when it meets Ilves in Tampere.

“Now there’s been a good pipe on, but it broke and then it’s a seam to start building a new one. After all, we’ve had quite a bit of talk about that pipe,” Koivistoinen said.

“Now let’s celebrate the weekend and start next week. From there, we’ll go hunting for three wins.”