Kari Jalo's two strict development demands: "The league should take care of those things"

Tappara secured its first victory of the Liiga season on Tuesday, as the team defeated Pelicans in Lahti with a score of 3-2.

In an interview with SuomiKiekko, Tappara’s head coach Kari Jalonen expressed satisfaction with both his team’s performance and the match in general.

– It was a good hockey evening. I learn something from Liiga every game and every place we go. Today was a quality hockey night. We were strong in the first, Pelicans was really strong in the second, and in the third we saw which team would win. Today it was decided by special teams. I am satisfied with the preparation the team did today, Jalonen commented on the match in the SuomiKiekko interview.

Particularly impressive in the match was Tappara’s penalty kill. The team pressured hard, and Pelicans’ power play unit couldn’t get the game going properly throughout the match, even though the home team had four power play attempts.

What is the secret of Tappara’s penalty kill?

– I’m not going to reveal any secrets, Jalonen laughs.

– But we have worked a lot on it. In the first Liiga game in Lappeenranta, we allowed two goals. We have made a lot of progress in the penalty kill and found our penalty kill pairs. Tiilikainen Matti has done a good job in that.

Tappara has played two Liiga games and four CHL games. Has Tappara’s game progressed on schedule?

– It has in part and in part it probably hasn’t. We can improve every day. The coach also has to be patient and keep pushing the process forward. We achieved quite a lot during the training camp in Sweden: we practiced, had team building, workshops with the players, and played two really tough games, Jalonen explains.

In the Pelicans match, the poor condition of the ice drew attention. There was a lot of water on the ice at the beginning of the second and third periods. This did not go unnoticed by Jalonen.

– Yes, there were some comments about that. I think Liiga should take care of those things, to ensure the ice is in good condition so we can play quality hockey. It’s essential, Jalonen says, also raising another criticism.

– I also have to say that I’m not in favor of long video reviews. Of course, I understand that we need to find out why the video is being reviewed, but the audience, the players, and I don’t like it.

Jalonen refers to the video review seen in the third period. The officiating crew reviewed Christoffer Forsberg’s hooking for about five minutes before the Swedish forward was sent off for a swing that hit the opponent’s groin.

TPS star received a massive ban for biting – TS: Denies the accusations

League | 26.10.2026 18:43