Mikkelin Jukurit, the sensational team of the previous season, is very likely to be left out of the league’s playoffs. KooKoo and HPK are almost impossible to miss.
The regular season of the Ice Hockey Championship League will be condensed in the next two weekends. KooKoo, HPK and Jukurit are fighting for the last playoff spot.
Jukurei’s situation is clearly the worst: It faces Tappara, Jypi, Luko and Kärpät.
Two points ahead are KooKoo and HPK. KooKoo’s position seems to be the strongest, it has five matches to play and it will face Sportin and Saipa, who are still playing without a contribution.
Jukurileir is also aware that playoff dreams are hanging on by a thin thread.
– Even if we win all the remaining games, it does not guarantee anything. Now the real question is why we are in this situation, i.e. fighting for tenth place. We should fight for a direct playoff spot, piloting Jukurei for the second season Olli Jokinen says.
Jokin takes the situation surprisingly calmly. Jukurit was still struggling for a place in the top six around Christmas, but since then the pace of points waned.
– We still sorted out the match rush in December, but after that almost half of the regular players were sick at the same time. But you can’t go behind that either, Jokinen admits.
Someone looks more behind the results and there is more light than the results table.
– We actually played better than last year. We were able to create more goal chances, we gave the opponent less of them. We created 15 chances per game, which should be enough to win.
The forces of the Jukurs were practically exhausted in front of both goals.
– Our challenge culminated in goalkeeping and goal scoring efficiency. We couldn’t replace Palmu and Rädy’s performance last season.
Moved to Sweden Petrus Palmu scored 26 goals and 56 power points for Jukurei last season. Switched to North America from Kärpi via Jukurit Aatu Räty 41 power points were scored by Palmu’s aisa pair.
Goalkeeper situation for Jukurei has been alive all season and thought of as the number one goalkeeper Frans Tuohimaa moved to Sweden in the spirit of solving games.
OJ marvels at the treatment of the Jokers
In recent weeks, the Finnish hockey discussion has revolved around the series system and the possible opening of the league.
Jukurit, represented by Jokinen, is the newest entrant to the league seven years ago, and plays with the smallest budget in the league.
– I emphasize that I come from outside Suomikieko, but from the point of view of sportsmanship, the league should be open. There should be a chance to rise and fall.
Joki, who has played and coached in North America for more than 20 years, is also surprised by the discussion surrounding the Jokers.
– I’m not quite sure why the discussion is so negative. Jokerit already belongs to Suomikiekko thanks to their very good junior work. You should probably ask why they were kicked out of the league in the past.
In Jokinen’s opinion, 2-3 teams from the capital region are needed for the league.
– Let’s hope that Jokerit and Espoo will get things right.
You can discuss topic 4.3. until 23:00.