Lauri-Rantanen
For the second season in a row, both as a head coach, Rantanen brought Hurrikaani to the Mestaruusliiga playoff finals. Even when taking over the reins of the club in the mid-season, while being promoted from the assistant coach position in 2015/16, he was close to the finals but eventually seized the bronze medal. And just like the last season, VaLePa will be Hurrikaani’s rivals in the series for the gold medal. But now, Hurrikaani fans are hoping for a different outcome…
After you finished the regular season in the 4th place in the standings, did you believe you could reach the finals?
“We didn’t have the easiest regular season but we felt we have a good chance to advance against Leka in the quarterfinals and, later, against Sampo in the semifinals. We play so many games in the Finnish playoffs so, it almost feels like a new season anyway,” Rantanen said to our website.
You lost all games to VaLePa this season so, do you have any ideas how to finally beat them?
“It’s true, we have a bad record against Valepa (0-3, and we lost the cup final) but as long as every set begins with the score 0-0, I don’t mind the history. The main thing for us is to improve our side-out a bit from the regular season games we had against Valepa. We are not trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat. Maybe more like a ram!”
Since you were involved as a coach in the last season’s final against the same rivals, what experiences you took and what lessons you have learned from that playoff series?
“This season we have more options how to play. Like I said, we play lots of games in playoffs. That means injuries and now, we are better prepared to face that kind of situation.”
Hurrikaani still wait for the first national title in the club history. In the last 7 seasons, the club played playoff finals 5 times. Knowing this, how big is the pressure, if any, imposed on you and your players to finally become Mestaruusliiga champions?
“Hurrikaani have played only 10 years in Mestaruusliiga and being in the top 3 for the last 7 years is a great accomplishment from the club and from the board. This season we get to play again for the gold. Every player and member of the staff feels some kind of a pressure. Not because of history but because of what we are about to achieve!”
Your contract with Hurrikaani expires at the end of the season. Do you plan to stay in the club?
“I don’t have a contract for the next season. After the finals, I will think about the future,” Rantanen stated.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven playoff finals between No.4 Hurrikaani and No.1 VaLePa is scheduled for April 10.
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To see complete results, stats, and standings, visit our FIN National Championship 2017/2018 / Male / Seniors page.
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