Ilves went to Lahti as a clear favorite as almost 3700 viewers gathered in the Isku arena to spend their Friday evening enjoying ice hockey. Before today´s game, with its 105 points, Ilves held the 5th place in the League while Pelicans is still struggling at the foot of the table. This was the 4th and the final match between these two teams this season. Out of last three games, Ilves won all of them. After the bitter defeat in Turku on Wednesday, it was now time to get back on that winning track again.
In Lahti Ilves faced a surprisingly strong and motivated home-team. While Ilves was leading the game almost through the whole 60 minutes, there is no denying that on the paper, in light of the statistics, the dominance of Ilves could have expected to be even stronger. Only after the 2-4 score and a solo effort by Teemu Rautiainen three minutes before the end (57:09), Pelicans started to get a little bit more off the track. Other Ilves scorers were Tuomas Salmela (2:46), Eemeli Suomi (23:26), Jasse Ikonen (46:03) and Robert Leino (59:32). The game resulted in 2-5 for Ilves. With this important win Ilves moved above KooKoo and into the 4th place in the League table as also Sport took the win against KooKoo in Vaasa.
There are now only three games left before the regular-season end and the long-awaited playoffs will soon be here. On Saturday 7th Ilves is facing HIFK in Hakametsä arena. Third and the last game of the week for Ilves. There are 7000 sold tickets already so better to hurry up and get your tickets quickly before they are sold out!
Moreover, right before the game Ilves will be holding the second induction ceremony this season in which another list of honorees are inducted into the team of Ilves Hockey Legends. We warmly welcome you to join us for this important game in Hakametsä arena!
