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Kemppi Oy has been supporting
the Pelicans since 2005
© Pelicans
Ice hockey action with the Pelicans
Ice hockey is said to be the world’s
fastest-paced team game. During
a single game the spectators
experience a roller coaster ride of
emotions.
Ice hockey’s popularity is based on the
speed of play and on the sudden, often
violent situations that develop during
games. A perfect ice hockey game takes
the spectator through the whole range of
emotions from excitement to despair, from
bitterness to joy and jubilation.
”The final result depends on the
number of goals and there are usually lots
of them. It’s a fast contact sport with plenty
of action and body checks to keep the
spectators entertained.”
”The speed and intensity of the game
keep the audience enthralled,” says Tomi-
Pekka Kolu, Marketing Manager of the
Pelicans, Lahti’s ice hockey team.
He adds that around the world ice
hockey games have been built up into allround
events that also feature other types
of entertainment and bar and restaurant
services.
The Pelicans can trace their roots back
to Reipas, a team established in Vyborg in
1891 which went on to win the first ever
Finnish ice hockey Championship. The
team has changed its name several times
over the years, becoming the Pelicans in
1996.
The Pelicans have been playing
in the Finnish Championship League
continuously since 1999.However, the
Pelicans are more than just a team fighting
to win the Finnish Championship.
“We are the partner team for Päijät-
Häme Central Hospital and we’ve collected
almost 50 000 euros for the hospital during
the last four years,” he explains.
In fact, the Pelicans are the biggest
event organiser in the Lahti area, offering
around 30-40 opportunities to be
entertained at sporting events each year.
”The team also serves as an example
for young people in the area who are
interested in ice hockey. Our Pelicans
school tour encourages young people in
the Päijät-Häme area to exercise and get fit.”
Text: Pirjo Kemppinen
At the end of the season, Pelicans presented Kemppi with
a goaltender’s helmet. The autograph of Niko Hovinen,
who was the third goaltender of the team that won gold
for Finland in the Ice Hockey World Championship 2011,
was eternalised on the helmet. The helmet was accepted
by Chief Executive Officer Anssi Rantasalo.
34 Kemppi ProNews 2011