All four F-liiga semi-final teams are now there as Nokian KrP took the last spot, beating Happee 8-3 last night. They became the first team to come back from 1-3 in matches to win a play-off series.
After losing 0-9 at home in the third game, KrP were able to pull themselves together and start winning. At the deciding moments’ Miro Tuomala in goal seemed to stop everything and their stars Henri Johansson, Joona Rantala and Mikko Laakso found the net. In Game 6, Laakso scored the winner with just one second left to play. As additional drama, Happee had to do without forward Roni Laasonen who was given a three-game ban after a hit in Henri Johansson’s head in the sixth game.
As a final touch, Happee’s Peter Kotilainen spiced the series’ final press conference with a two-minute monologue lashing especially the referees. His choice of words is next to be investigated by the league disciplinary organ.
F-liiga semi-final schedule (best of seven):
Classic – Nokian KrP
Sat 20.03.2021 16:00 Tampere Areena Classic – Nokian KrP (webcasted by Ruutu)
Mon 22.03.2021 18:30 Raholan lk Nokian KrP – Classic (Ruutu)
Wed 24.03.2021 18:30 Tampere Areena Classic – Nokian KrP (Ruutu)
Fri 26.03.2021 18:30 Raholan lk Nokian KrP – Classic (Ruutu)
Sun 28.03.2021 18:30 Tampere Areena Classic – Nokian KrP (if necessary, Ruutu)
Tue 30.03.2021 18:30 Raholan lk Nokian KrP – Classic (if necessary, Ruutu)
Thu 01.04.2021 18:30 Tampere Areena Classic – Nokian KrP (if necessary, Ruutu)
Oilers-TPS
Fri 19.03.2021 18:30 Tapiolan UH Oilers – TPS (Ruutu)
Mon 22.03.2021 18:30 Kupittaan ph TPS – Oilers (Ruutu)
Wed 24.03.2021 18:30 Tapiolan UH Oilers – TPS (Ruutu)
Fri 26.03.2021 18:30 Kupittaan ph TPS – Oilers (Ruutu)
Sun 28.03.2021 16:00 Tapiolan UH Oilers – TPS (if necessary, Ruutu)
Tue 30.03.2021 18:30 Kupittaan ph TPS – Oilers (if necessary, Ruutu)
Thu 01.04.2021 18:30 Tapiolan UH Oilers – TPS (if necessary, Ruutu)
Photo: Esa Takalo
