Finland presented a handsome closing verse in Antti Pennanen’s Leijonat debut – “Spiritually great rise” | Sport

The Lions won overtime against Switzerland on the opening day of the EHT hockey tournament in Helsinki. The match was Antti Pennanen’s first match as Leijoni’s head coach.

The Lions went on to a sweet victory over Switzerland Antti Pennanen in the opening match as Leijoni’s head coach. Finland was still down 0–2 after the second set, but won 3–2 in overtime in the middle of the EHT tournament in Helsinki.

Switzerland struck twice in the second period of the match. Giancarlo Chanton and Fabrice Herzog were responsible for the goals. There was a touch of luck in Herzog’s goal, as the puck bounced off the end for Herzog, who surprised the Lions’ goal save Harri Säterin.

The Lions’ rise to victory began in the third period. Mikko Lehtonen scored after 45 minutes of play and Harri Pesonen leveled the fight at 2–2, with six minutes to play in the final set.

Helsinki puck night ended in overtime with the Lions’ celebration. Defender Robin Salo downloaded Finland’s 3–2 winning goal in 61.11.

“Lions have done this before”

Antti Pennanen’s debut match as Leijoni’s head coach had a sweet decision. Pennanen reminded that Switzerland is one of the toughest hockey teams in the world.

– We played against the final team of last year’s World Cup. A really good first set, in the second set we were in trouble and too aggressive. In the third period, we scored some great goals. A great climb mentally, Pennanen praised his crew.

– Leijonat has done this before in recent years. I saw pride, commitment and hard work in the team.

How much tension was behind the Lions’ bench on the first night?

– It’s always exciting when you go to a match. And so it should be. But I was very calm today, although of course some stages of the match raised my heart rate, Pennanen described.

Lehtonen praised the team’s spirit

Mikko Lehtonen was satisfied with the Leijoni’s hard finish.

– Good start, there were some difficulties in the second set, but we came together and still passed. This tells about the character of the team. Finns have enough guts when they are behind. We were persistent, Lehtonen emphasized.

The sky of the lions under Pennanen’s command is still in the early stages, but the first meters have been promising.

– Our game already showed things that we have practiced. We only have two practices behind us, so everything is not crystal clear yet, but it probably doesn’t need to be, Lehtonen said.

The struggles of the EHT tournament continue over the weekend. On Saturday, the Lions will take on the Czech Republic, who defeated Sweden 5–2 in Karlovy Vary on Thursday. On the final day of the Helsinki tournament on Sunday, Finland will face Sweden.