According to expert Ismo Lehkonen, Jesse Puljujärvi experienced a tasteless trick. Mikael Granlund, the expert, expects better performances.
The Ice Hockey World Cup will be played in the Czech Republic from 10 to 26. May. follows the events in the app, on the website, on the Sports Screen and on Urheiluradio.
Finland lost to Canada in the opening group match of the World Hockey Championships by 3–5. Sports expert Ismo Lehkonen highlights three takeaways from the Lions’ situation.
1. The lions fought very well
Anonymous Finland was able to fight against Canada, which was full of NHL stars, perfectly. Lehkonen calculated that Canada was only able to create ten scoring chances in the match on an even field.
– It’s a tough performance against a team like Canada. This proved that Jukka Jalonen with the game template, it is possible to keep even the top countries in small goal positions, says Lehkonen.
The expert sees that with the three goals scored and the defensive play seen now, Finland should have been able to beat Canada.
– It cannot be underestimated that Leijonat defended the ball very well, says Lehkonen.
According to Lehkonen, the Canadian goalkeeper Jordan Binnington however, clearly took a longer course Harri Säteri against in the goalie struggle.
The expert also gives tips on the big problem of Suomikiko. Since the juniors, it has been customary in Finland to defend and grab the puck away from the opponent by doubling and tripling players with the puck.
– Canada’s fourth goal came purely from that. Terrible rush, three near the wing and suddenly they made it 2-0 in front of the goal.
– Finland is really far behind the top countries in personal one-on-one defensive skills. That skill is on the decline. This was a good example of why I’ve never been a fan of doubling up.
2. A distasteful act by an NHL defenseman
Jesse Puljujärvi scored two goals against Canada. The striker was warmed up a bit by the goals, but in the same breath he reminded of the importance of series points.
See in the video how Puljujärvi’s comments.
– I am happy for him. He had success in his few places and put the pucks in from both. They don’t warm up terribly, because there were zero points in the series. And as we know, in Jalonen Leijon, goals are not counted, but wins, says Lehkonen.
Puljujärvi also had a hard time when the NHL defender moved from Colorado to Buffalo this season Bowen Byram hit the Finn between the legs with his club.
– I have met a guy in Colorado. Sometimes he gets such brain farts that he throws a tantrum and acts like a bitch. He didn’t realize that there are quite a lot of cameras at the World Cup competitions. He got caught because of them.
– It was a tasteless act, for which Byram deservedly got 5+20 and sent off.
3. Where is Granlund?
Although it’s all in their own hands, the Lions need points from their final games against Denmark and Switzerland to secure their place in fourth and the quarter-finals. In any case, Finland can rise to fourth place at the most.
– Switzerland is a top country and there are no free points for Denmark. They also have the seam to go into the top four. There is a tough fight ahead.
The game of the Lions’ first chain has not gone through the tournament at any point. Now the number one center and captain by Mikael Granlund must step forward.
– He has to. Crying won’t help now, Lehkonen insists.
According to Lehkonen, Granlund must play the whole time in the future like the last five minutes of the Canada match, i.e. with “maximum effort”.
– There’s always a guy of all kinds skiing next to him. The result has been the same all along, Lehkonen points out.
– Granlund must be able to make the teammates on the sidelines look brilliant. In the same way, playing with superiority requires artistry, cunning and directness.
Lehkonen expects that Finland, which has cultivated late starts, will recognize the opportunities for faster attacks in the last matches of the preliminary series. The lions must dare to use the centers in the middle lane.
– Now Finland is giving back to its own all the time. Quite often, the top countries pressurize with four or five players, in which case Finland is in trouble. A few scoring chances and goals were seen when Leijonat got stuck in their own area.