Tappara

Tappara
City:	Tampere, Finland
League:	SM-liiga
Founded:	1955 (1955)
Home Arena:	Tampereen jäähalli (capacity 7,800)
Colors:

Tappara (Finnish for "Battle axe") is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play at Tampereen jäähalli in Tampere, Finland. The team has won 15 Finnish league championships (1953, 1954, 1955, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 2003).

Team history

Early days

TBK squad in 1945

The team currently known as Tappara was established in 1932 as Tammerfors Bollklubb (TBK). The team then consisted of players from the Swedish school in Tampere. The first official game was played in 1934. The team was promoted to the Finnish premier league for the first time for the 1942-43 season, and the team's first win was gained against Tarmo Hämeenlinna in January 1943. In 1946, the team won its first medal, bronze medal, as it finished third in the league, despite losing 19-4 to local rivals Ilves, which ended up as the champions.

The first period of success (1953-1964)

Tappara championship squad in 1961

The first notable period of success took place in early 50's, as TBK won three consecutive national championships in 1953-1955. In 1955, the team changed its original Swedish name to the Finnish Tappara in order to attract Finnish-speaking players. After that, the team went on to win three further championships (1959, 1961, and 1964), three second places (1958, 1960, and 1963), and three third places (1956, 1957, and 1962) in just nine years. Their winning streak was followed by a more silent period, with Tappara even playing one season (1965–1966) at the second highest level, gaining immediate promotion back to the top flight. A new arena "Tampereen jäähalli" was built in Hakametsä, Tampere to host the 1965 world championships. After the games the venue became the home arena of Tappara and their local rivals, Ilves and Koo-Vee and Tappara still play their home games there today.

The second period of success (1975-1988)

Tappara fans had to wait until the mid-seventies until Tappara started to be successful again, thanks to some legendary players such as the goalkeeper Antti Leppänen and the defender Pekka Marjamäki. The bronze medals in 1973 and silver medals in 1974 were followed by the Finnish championship in 1975. This time, the successful period was even longer than the first period of glory in the 50's and early sixties. Tappara also won the Finnish championships in 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984, and the long streak ended by winning three consecutive championships in 1986-1988. Many fans regard the Tappara team of the late 1980s - coached by Rauno Korpi - as their strongest of all time. Behind the senior players such as Timo Susi and Erkki Lehtonen, the likes of Teppo Numminen (a long-term defender in NHL) and Janne Ojanen (Tappara icon) led the way as new talented youngsters. In 1988, the Finland national team gained its first success by winning the Olympic silver medal in Calgary, and Tappara players formed a substantial part of the Finnish team. Tappara players Erkki Lehtonen and Janne Ojanen were the goal scorers for Finland in a decisive win against Soviet Union.

The recent days

During the 1990s Tappara did not gain any notable success besides finishing third in the league in spring 1990. In 1992, the once so mighty team even had to fight for its place at the top level in relegation playoffs against Oulun Kärpät. A glimpse of glory was, however, achieved on international level, as Tappara player Timo Jutila captained the Finnish national team to win the ice hockey world championship in 1995. In the early 2000s Tappara played some good seasons, winning silver medals in both 2001 and 2002. In 2003 - to the surprise of many - Tappara won their latest Finnish championships so far, coached by Jukka Rautakorpi. After that, Tappara reached 3rd place in the premier league in 2008 and second place in 2013. As of 2013, Tappara leads the all time points table of the Finnish premier level hockey ahead of TPS Turku.

Early results (1933-1941)

1933-34

TBK played their first game on January 1, 1934, losing 2-1 to Ilves II. Five days later, Ilves II was again victorious by the score of 2-1 in a 2x15 minute game, with Rintala scoring both goals for the winning team. On January 13, TBK earned their first ever win, defeating Ilves II 2-1 (2-0, 0-1) in another 2x15 game. All three games were played at Ilves' Palomäki Swimming Pool. TBK's roster was as follows: Uno Jansson (GK), Åke Jensen, Lasse Sandsund, Lars Sandbacka, Kaj Jansson, Arne Jansson, Klaus Hjorth, Åke Backström.

1934-35

TBK defeated Ilves II 1-0 (0-0, 1-0, 0-0) in a friendly match on January 12, 1935, with Kaj Jansson scoring the lone goal of the game. On January 17, Ilves II exacted revenge with a 2-1 (1-0, 1-0, 0-1) victory. TBK roster: Uno Jansson (GK), Tor Franck, Åke Jensen, Kaj Jansson, Klaus Hjorth, Arne Jansson.

TBK joined the Tampere Piirinsarja (District Series) for 1935. The other teams in the competition were Ilves II, TaPa, and TKV (Tampere Kisa-Veikot). They lost their first game in the series 8-1 (3-1, 1-0, 4-0) to Ilves II on February 14. TBK was slated to face TKV and TaPa later on, but both games were postponed due to weather conditions, and no records indicate that they were ever played.

1935-36

On January 16, 1936, TBK beat TaPa 1-0 (1-0, 0-0, 0-0) in a 3x10 minute District Series game, with Veikko Kivekäs scoring the only goal, assisted by Arne Johnasson. On January 22, TBK defeated TKV 5-1 (2-0, 1-1, 2-0). Kievekäs (x2) and Hjorth were among the goal scorers for TBK, with Hietaniemi scoring the lone goal for TKV. TBK clinched the Tampere District Series title with a 2-1 (0-0, 1-0, 1-1) win over Ilves II on January 29. Klaus Hjorth started the scoring, assisted by Jansson, but Lahtinen tied the game for Ilves II in the third period. Arne Jansson then scored the winning goal for TBK.

TBK then advanced to the Promotion Series (Valtakunnansarja), where they faced ÅIFK for the right to play in the SM-sarja in 1937. The game was played in Turku on February 9, and ÅIFK won 7-1 (3-0, 0-0, 4-1), with Lindroos scoring four goals. This earned them a spot in the top Finnish league, and the Suomi-sarja title.

TBK roster: Uno Jansson (GK), Åke Jensen, Georg Ertman, Klaus Hjorth, Veikko Kivekäs, Arne Jansson, Reinhold Jensen, Alf Andresen, Åke Bäckström.

1936-37

The Suomi-sarja featured 12 teams, divided into four groups. Five teams competed in the Häme District Series - TBK, TKV, Ilves II, Jämsänkosken Ilves, and TaPa, while three teams (TBK, Ilves II, and Jämsänkosken Ilves) played in the Suomi-Sarja group. The games between teams in both the District Series and the Suomi-sarja group counted for both competitions.

TBK defeated TKV 5-1 (1-1, 1-0, 3-0) in the first District Series game, played on January 27, 1937. On February 3, TBK beat Ilves II 2-1 (2-0, 0-1, 0-0). Klaus Hjorth scored the second goal for TBK, while J. Tiitola had the lone tally for Ilves II. Four days later, TBK earned a 4-1 (2-0, 1-0, 1-1) win over Jämsänkosken Ilves. Kivekäs (x2), Jensen, and Hjorth scored for TBK, while Kotakylä got Ilves's only goal. On March 11, TaPa tied TBK 2-2 (0-1, 0-1, 2-0) in the last game of the District Series. Jansson scored the first goal for TBK, and they led 2-0 in the third, when Aura scored for TaPa, sparking a late rally, where they scored the tying goal with 10 seconds left. TBK won both the Häme District and their Suomi-sarja group titles.

Having won their group, TBK hosted a promotion qualifier in Tampere, which also featured the other group champions, Turun Riento, Harmeenlinna Tarmo and Vyborg Reipas. On February 20, Turun Riento beat TBK 5-0 (2-0, 1-0, 2-0) in the opening game of the promotion series. Riento went on to win the Suomi-sarja title, and earned promotion to the SM-sarja.

TBK roster: Uno Jansson (GK), Zeyd Ahsen-Böre - Reinhold Jensen - Arne Jansson (FW line 1), Gösta Alfthan - Veikko Kivekäs (E. Forsblom vs Riento) - Klaus Hjorth (FW line 2), Harry Mattsoff - Åke Jensen (D).

1937-38

TBK again participated in both the Suomi-sarja (which consisted of 15 teams, divided into four groups) and the District Series. This year, however, the games in the two competitions between common opponents were played separately.

In the District Series, TaPa beat TBK 1-0 (0-0, 0-0, 1-0) on January 31, 1938, with Valssi scoring the only goal of the game. TBK defeated TKV 3-2 (0-0, 1-0, 2-2) on February 8, by virtue of a hat-trick from Zeyd Ahsen-Böre. Huhti and Koskinen scored for TKV. Two days later, Ilves blanked TBK 4-0 (1-0, 2-0, 1-0), with J. Tiitola, Rintala (x2), and Vasama scoring.

In the Häme Group of the Suomi-sarja, TBK began with a 6-3 (3-0, 1-2, 2-1) win over TKV on February 14. Gösta Alfthan (x2), Zeyd Ahsen-Böre (assisted by Jarl Ohlson), and Ohlson were the known scorers for TBK, while Hietaniemi, Huhti x2 (one assisted by Koskinen) tallied for TKV. The next day, TBK beat TaPa 4-1, and clinched the group title with a 1-0 (0-0, 0-0, 1-0) victory over Ilves II on the 16th.

The Southwestern Group featured TPS Turku, Rienno, ÅIFK II, and Loimaan Palloilijat. At the end of the season, TPS dropped out of the championship standings, but was still left behind. TPS roster: Jaakko Kinnunen (GK), Imma Oksanen, Mana Lehtinen (D), Keijo Kihlman - Aki Ruotsalainen - Gunnar Kannisto (FW line), Jorma Varjonen - Anton Honka - Mikko Murola (FW line).

TBK then advanced to the promotion qualifier, where they played a two-game series against Tarmo Hämeenlinna. The first game, played on February 18, ended in a 3-3 deadlock (Tarmo-TBK, 2-0, 1-2, 0-1). Tarmo jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Avén (assisted by Kutti), Kuusela, and Salisma. Jari Ohlson started the comeback for TBK, and Zeyd Ahsen-Böre finished it, scoring the last two goals to tie the game up. Three days later, Tarmo blasted TBK 6-0 (2-0, 0-0, 4-0). Tarmo advanced to the final round, where they were beaten by HSK Helsinki, who copped the Suomi-sarja title, and earned promotion to the SM-sarja.

1938-39

On January 1, 1939, TBK defeated Ilves II 4-1 and TaPa 3-0 (1-0, 1-0, 1-0) in 3x10 minute matches to win the "Pikassarja" (lightning series). On January 29, they traveled to beat Tarmo Hämeeenlinna 5-3 (2-0, 3-1, 0-2) in another friendly.

In the Häme District Series, TBK triumphed over Ilves 2-1 (1-0, 1-0, 0-1) on January 31. They beat TaPa 3-1 (1-0, 1-0, 1-1) on February 3. In the final round, they fell 4-0 to Ilves (2-0, 1-0, 1-0) on March 10, but beat Tarmo 4-0 (2-0, 1-0, 1-0) two days later. Tarmo beat Ilves 3-2, and the latter team wound up winning the series, due to a better goal differential.

TBK, TKV, TaPa, and Ilves II were supposed to participate in the Häme Group of the Suomi-sarja (which consisted of 14 teams this year), but Ilves withdrew. TBK easily won their group, thrashing TKV 12-0 (4-0, 3-0, 5-0) on February 12, and TaPa 6-0 (2-0, 1-0, 3-0) on the 14th.

TBK, Karhu-Kissat (Helsinki champions), and TPS (Southwestern champions) advanced to the final round of the Suomi-sarja, which was played in Tampere. On February 25, TPS and TBK played to a 0-0 tie. The next day, TBK and Karhu-Kissat drew 2-2 (1-1, 1-1, 0-0). With a 4-0 win over Karhu-Kissat, TPS won the Suomi-sarja and earned promotion to the SM-sarja.

TBK roster: Uno Jansson, Gösta Alfthan, Klaus Hjorth, Arne Jansson, Jarl Ohlson, Zeyd Ahsen-Böre, Birger Nylund, Jaakko Hietaniemi

1939-40

The Winter War put an end to almost all hockey activities, but there was a little play in the early winter after the war. The Suomi-sarja, SM-sarja, and the District Series were not played during the season, but with the start of the following winter, a qualifying match for promotion to the SM-sarja was played between TBK and HSK Helsinki, who had finished last in the SM-sarja in 1938-39. Although it took place in December 1940, the match was considered to be part of the 1939-40 season. On the 11th, HSK beat TBK 3-1 (2-0, 0-1, 1-0) in Helsinki, to retain their spot in the SM-sarja. Byman x2 (one asissted by Sundqvist) and Laurén scored for HSK, while Zeyd Ahsen-Böre recorded the lone goal foe TBK.

1940-41

On December 20, 1940, TBK defeated Ilves 4-2 (0-2, 1-0, 3-0) in a friendly match. On March 5, Ilves beat TBK 2-0 (1-0, 1-0, 0-0), on goals by Hellén and Vasama. Four days later, TBK and Ilves tied 2-2 after OT (1-1, 0-0, 1-1, 0-0) in a game for the "Tampereen mestaruus". On March 13, Ilves was victorious over TBK 2-0 (0-0, 1-0, 1-0), on goals by Kvist and Honkvaara.

Tarmo, TBK, and Ilves played in the Häme District Series. Ilves and TBK tied 2-2 (1-2, 1-0, 0-0) on January 22. Honkvaara for Ilves and Ahsen-Böre for TBK were the known goalscorers. Tarmo beat TBK 4-1 (0-0, 2-1, 2-0) on February 8. Kuusela (x3) and Salisma (assisted by Kuusela) scored for Tarmo, while Ahsen-Böre recorded TBK's lone tally. Tarmo also beat Ilves, and won the District Series.

The Suomi-Sarja featured a single group of 5 teams this yea - TBK, Kadettikoulu (an army team), Arsenal Helsinki, and Helsingin Toverit. Karhu-Kissat beat TBK 2-1 (1-1, 1-0, 0-0) in the first game, played on January 26. Nummelin and Nurmi (assisted by Nummelin) scored for K-Kissat, while Ahsen-Böre (assisted by Ohlson) bagged a goal for TBK. On February 16, TBK thumped Kadettikoulu 7-2 (2-0, 3-2, 2-0). Jansson, Hietaniemi, Wahrén (x2), and Ahsen-Böre were the known scorers for TBK. Rintala and Jaakkola scored for the losers. TBK defeated Arsenal 2-0 (1-0, 0-0, 1-0) on February 22, with Ahsen-Böre scoring the second goal. The next day, TBK beat Helsingin Toverit 3-0 (1-0, 0-0, 2-0).

TBK managed to secure promotion to the SM-sarja, despite finishing second in the Suomi-sarja, behind Karhu-Kissat. TPS, the last place finisher in the SM-sarja, was relegated, and replaced by Karhu-Kissat. Riento and ÅIFK were tied for second-to-last, and had to play a rematch, where the loser would play off to defend their spot against TBK. However, with a much better goal differential, ÅIFK refused to face Riento, and TBK was thus promoted at the expense of ÅIFK, without having to play off.

TBK roster: Uno Jansson (GK), Zeyd Ahsen-Böre - Jarl Ohlson - Birger Nylund (FW line), Michael Wahrén - Arne Jansson - Klaus Hjorth (FW line), Jaakko Hietaniemi - Kaj Sandsund (D pairing), Åke Jensen - Frank Erlewein (D pairing).

External links

• Tappara official web site

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