Konsta Helenius, 17, waved the nets in the SM league in the early season. Success in the penalty shootout against Sweden was liberating.
Simo Arkko,
Jussi Saarinen
GOTHENBURG. Only 17 years old From Konsta Helenius there were big expectations before the World Junior Championships.
Results were expected from the youngster who scored 20 points in the early season in Jukurei and he was appointed as the team’s number one center.
However, after four matches, he is without power points.
– I can’t say that (gaming humor) was a test, but of course I’m used to scoring points and results, so I do think about it a bit. I try to be positive all the time, Helenius tells Urheilu.
Helenius, who will be booked for the NHL next summer, had an important success against Sweden, when he tied the penalty shootout 1-1. Senteri admits that getting the puck into the goal took the burden off his shoulders.
– Yes, there was a bit of pressure when I knew that I almost had to score a goal. I had a sure gimmick in my back pocket and I’ve done it before, so I was able to put it in well.
– I received a message that you put the sticks in quite bravely.
Helenius started in the first court, but in the last matches he has played together in the second chain Jani Nymanin and Aleksanteri Kaskimäki with.
However, Helenius is not worried, even though the points bag has not been accumulated.
– There have been places, so I’m not worried. The game has progressed since the first games. I’m going in a better direction.
Helenius will have his next chance to stand out in light of the points on Tuesday against Slovakia. The Jukurit center is aware that Slovakia has a lot of skilled star players who need to be brought under control.
Slovakia’s brightest star shines at the top of the points market of the entire tournament Servac Petroversky with powers 5+4. Maxim Strbak (1+5), on the other hand, is at the top of the defenders’ points market.
Slovakian superstar, St. Louis Blues’ top pick last summer Dalibor Dvorsky has scored four power points in the tournament.
– We know that Slovakia is tough and their age groups are the toughest right now. Last year, we lost in the quarterfinals of the under-18s, so now we have to take revenge and show back, Helenius throws.
Finland beat Slovakia 5–1 in the training match before the Games. However, Helenius knows that this has no meaning.
– Last year, we quickly won the training game, but it came to a screeching halt in the games. Maybe that gave them the swagger to play.
– It doesn’t really matter. You have to forget that we won (in the practice game). Now it’s a whole new game and new stakes.
Urheilu closely follows the under-20 hockey world championships in the application and on its website. Moods are also conveyed on Urheilurutu and Urheiluradio. The match program can be found here.