Women’s Maple League regular season is over, with the Tampere Saints being a clear winner with an 8-0 record. The newcomer of the league, Wasa Royals, are left out of the playoffs this time. Saturday brings us two entertaining games with some of the country’s best ballhawks. Let’s take a look at both games with comments from the Saints’ head coach Elina Leukkunen and the Northern Lights’ head coach Joonas Taina.
Tampere Saints – Helsinki Wolverines
I asked the Saints’ head coach Elina Leukkunen about thoughts on the Saints’ season so far. “In the beginning of off-season, I hoped the players would make a claim for the leadership and show their spirits. The players did this well. Each player plays for the team in every game and on every down, and it’s just a delight to watch”, Leukkunen says. “Our coordinators Mikko Aspinen (OC) and Kalle Uusitalo (DC) and the entire coaching staff have also put great effort into every play as well. The players have also been physically prepared to a long season”.
The Tampere Saints were undefeated during the regular season, while the Helsinki Wolverines enter the postseason with 3-5 record. However, as the Saints’ head coach Elina Leukkunen stated “The season is not over and now that the regular season is done and left behind us, the record is 0-0 again”.
An interesting note on the game is that the teams faced off each other in the final week of regular season with the final score of 30-20 for the Saints. It’s not often that you face the same opponent on back-to-back weekends. “It brings a new element to the game now that the previous matchup and the continuation of the season are only one week apart” Leukkunen says. “I expect a high-level matchup for the place in the finals. The box play will be a significant factor, since both teams rely highly on their rushing game. The passing game has also its time and place so there will be interesting matchups also on the backfield for both teams. Keeping it consistent and taking it one play at a time is important for every player, as it has been all season”.
On Saturday we shall see if the Saints can keep their act together as they have been until now. The Wolverines have a few years since their last championship, and it’s clear they want to get back in the Maple Bowl after their loss to Turku Trojans last year. The Wolverines will have to bring their best game to beat Miina Laukkanen, Lotta Ahonen and the rest of the Saints. Some big names on the Wolverines roster include the Quarterback Essi Söderholm, Wide Reciever Aino Helskyaho and the back-from-the-US Linebacker Janina Nikander along with young stars like Nelli Malk.
The key matchup I recommend you keep an eye on is the one between the Saints’ wide receivers and the Wolverines’ defensive backs. Emilia Räty passes the ball most often to Lotta Ahonen and they are a dangerous duo to face. The Wolverines have their defensive backs playing in national teams, and if they can keep Ahonen guarded, Räty may run out of open receivers quickly.
Tampere Saints – Helsinki Wolverines, Saturday August 3rd at 13:00, Pyynikin Urheilukenttä, Tampere
Turku Trojans – Oulu Northern Lights
The reigning champs, Turku Trojans, enter the playoffs with a 5-3 record, hosting the 4-4 Oulu Northern Lights. The Northern Lights’ head coach Joonas Taina is happy with the season the 3 seed has had. “We’ve had a great season with lots of success. Starting the season with a slim roster has caused us to pay even more attention to preventing injuries, and regarding that, we have been extremely lucky this year”.
How does Taina feel about the upcoming matchup? “The semi-finals in Turku feel good. The victory we had there earlier brought us a much-needed boost and remains a convincing memory. The road games have been our strong suite this year with 3 of our 4 victories coming from away-games” he says. “The semi-final will be the greatest challenge we’ve faced this year. The Trojans have become stronger and when we hosted them, they beat us thoroughly, so this time we need to be more prepared and all-around better. I believe that with our flawless game we can bother the reigning champions but remains to be seen if that’s enough for an upsetting win. The most important thing is that we believe in ourselves, and that counts.”
Oulu has quite small roster, but they have power in the Spanish imports Wide Receiver Carla Blanca Lasheras and Defensive Lineman Laura Martinez Finaga, along with homegrown Quarterback Nea Törmänen and Running Back Aino Lepojärvi. The Northern Lights have had their shining moments this year, but with the Trojans having names like Essi Saastamoinen, Nana Olavuo and Hanna Ropanen back strengthening their defense, Oulu needs to bring the best tricks out of their offensive playbook.
Turku Trojans – Oulu Northern Lights, Saturday August 3rd at 14:00, Yläkenttä, Turku
The games overlap a bit, so if you can’t make it to Turku or Tampere to watch live football, a 2-screen tactic is recommended.
Next week I’ll be back with the Maple Bowl preview, as well as the Men’s Maple League Power Rankings. Until then, contact us on socials!
Comentarios