Pelicans-JYP 2-0 (series 1-0)

Quarantee for the Pelicans' win was their superb goalie Niko Hovinen who made 37 saves. Hovinen has suffered hib problems all spring and played only 6 games out of 12 games in quarterfinals and semifinals. Now it seems that this 201 cm tall world champion is healthy and ready to lead Pelicans to championship.

Pelicans started very aggressive and forced slow moving JYP to make mistakes and turnovers. After 6 minutes Arttu Luttinen scored already his 7th playoff goal when redirecting Latvala's blueline shot into the goal.

In the second period totally six penalties were given but still no power play goal. Only goal came when JYP defender missed the puck in front of own goal and Marko Pöyhönen used his chance. Backhand shot went in between the "pipehole" of Riku Helenius.

In the third period Pelicans played pretty passive and concentrated only stopping JYP's play already in the neutral zone. That worked pretty well and few chances that JYP had Hovinen took care of.

Somehow JYP wasn't the same team in this first final what we we used to see in quarters and semifinals. They never got control of the came and Pelicans fast skating forwards made JYP defenders look old. Now it remains to be seen if JYP can find a way stop Pelicans...

 

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