Top sport aims at winning, but at its core is at least as organically entertaining, writes sports journalist Jussi Paasi.
You love Severi from Lahti.
If you follow domestic hockey, you already know what I’m talking about.
If you don’t know Severi Lahti yet, I recommend you get to know it as soon as possible. Even if you don’t particularly care about hockey.
You’ll fall in love instantly.
The best way to reach Lahtinen is from Hippos in Jyväskylä. If you can’t make it to Jyväskylä, don’t worry, because Lahtinen tours around Finland every week. Entertaining the people.
Severi Lahtinen is the most entertaining player in the ice hockey SM league. JYP’s 24-year-old striker is a unique case in every way.
Top sport aims at winning. Of course. But at the core of it is at least as organically entertainment, entertaining.
Lahtinen knows that. He tries everything possible – and impossible – in games. Everything that you know will get the audience excited.
I can imagine JYP’s head coach, known for ruthless discipline and order Jukka Rautakorvinhis blood pressure rising while watching his protégé go, but still even Rautakorpi allows Lahtinen to frolic freely.
Most hockey players would never dare to try the pucks that Lahtinen repeatedly pulls from his helmet. And most of them can’t.
The entertainment package for the whole family does not limit its activities to just inside the sides of the rink.
Try if you can listen to Lahtinen’s interview without smiling, which was heard on Puhe’s Ice Hockey Tour. I bet you can’t. If you don’t get even a little bit in a good mood from this story, I recommend you consult a doctor.
Ice hockey is a sport that has many entertaining elements. One likes tackles, another likes the tactical finesse of the game, the third is thirsty for the goalkeeper’s amazing saves.
But everyone gets fired up by what Severi Lahtinen does. He is a player that every fan would want on their team.
Lahtinen is definitely worth seeing live. The price of a few tens for an entrance ticket is negligible if Lahtinen plays.
If for some reason you don’t go to the ice rink to admire Lahti, search the internet for a few of Lahtin’s special features seen this season. Even the failed penalty shot, which is one of the most exciting moments of the domestic puck season.
The puck artist tried a trick where he first took the stick from between his legs, then executed the shot with both hands behind his back. Follow up.
Sometimes it feels like top sport is too serious. The most important thing is to win. Series points must be scored, even with a boring game.
But luckily we have Severi Lahtinen. He reminds us what top sport is ultimately all about.
About performing. For entertaining. An incredibly beautiful game.