Tappara fan praises KooKoo for tough ice hockey finals

A long-time Tappara supporter from Kotka has acknowledged KooKoo’s strong performance in the Finnish ice hockey championship finals, calling the series a genuine challenge for his team.

Markku Suolanen, who leads the Kotka chapter of the Tappara fan club, was present in Tampere when Tappara secured its 21st Finnish championship title on Wednesday. Speaking to public broadcaster Yle, he praised KooKoo’s aggressive play, which forced Tappara to fight for the victory.

“They really pushed Tappara hard,” Suolanen said. “If KooKoo had won the third final, Tappara would have been in an impossible position. The sixth and seventh games were still possible, but Tappara took both.”

Suolanen, a Tappara fan since the early 1970s, noted that the finals stretched to seven games, with KooKoo creating multiple opportunities to claim the title. He admitted Tappara’s defense was at times lacking, allowing KooKoo’s offensive style to test them.

“Tappara didn’t focus enough on defense—they went on the attack themselves against KooKoo,” he said.

The Kotka chapter of the Tappara fan club, founded in 1998, is the oldest regional branch. Suolanen said membership has fluctuated around 50 over the years, with two busloads of fans sometimes traveling to games. Now, even children are attending matches of their own accord.

While Tappara celebrates its championship, KooKoo will mark its first-ever medal—a silver—with a public celebration in Kouvola on Friday. Suolanen, who watched the decisive game in Tampere, said his group’s post-victory festivities were brief due to an early bus departure.

“We raised a toast, watched the trophy ceremony, and celebrated a bit—no need to hit the streets running,” he said.

Reflecting on the series, Suolanen extended his congratulations to KooKoo: “They played a fantastic season and made Tappara work for it. You can’t deny that.”