The U20 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship will be held in Ottawa, Canada from December 26, 2024 to January 5, 2025.
– I saw that now we are getting into a superior attack. When there was no place to feed, I decided to pull myself and went there.
North American junior league playing in the OHL Tuomas Uronen was the celebrated hero of the Young Lions early on Monday morning in the match of the World Youth Championship played in Finnish time. He decided the 4–3 victory over the United States in overtime.
Finland’s performance against the reigning world champion was anything but what was expected. In the first two matches of the preliminary group against Canada and Germany, the team’s play faltered and seemed almost anemic at times.
– We talked before the match that we would play as relaxed as possible and let it go, Uronen, who was responsible for the winning goal, said after the game.
Uronen’s overtime goal can be seen in the X-inset below.
Fastest match?
It also looked relaxed. The match was perhaps the fastest that has been seen in the youth games in Ottawa so far.
Although there were more North Americans than Finnish supporters, the crowd cheered specifically for Finland and especially the goalkeeper Petteri Rimpinenwho again made numerous parade saves in the match.
– There was a great atmosphere in the hall today. The public was on our side. It was easy to play, having scored a goal in the match Konsta Helenius said after the match.
The forward of the first court has not yet opened his goal taps in the tournament, but he has still accumulated two assist points.
– The tournament-style game is different from what you are used to from the beginning of the season. There is nothing wrong with this. However, places have become available, Helenius said.
Finland is now second in Group A, two points behind the United States. The four best teams in the group will advance to the quarterfinals.
Sports expert Top Nättinen go through the most important points of the game and catch up on the Latvian match that ends the first series.
“Intelligent leveling up”
– Behind the victory is the team’s mental level-up, which was absolutely incredible. The group was well prepared. It was visible in everything he did. Finland was really active, says Nättinen.
Finland managed to play 10 times in the tournament without any goals, until in the second round against the United States Jesse Kiiskinen pressed the puck with superiority by Trey Augustine to guard the goal.
However, Nättinen would like to see more shots from Finland during force majeure.
– It was great to see that Finland was in the game the whole time. In addition to the result, mental self-confidence increased after two really difficult matches.
The best underdog of the tournament
Under power, Nuoret Leijonat is the best team in the tournament. It has been unsurpassed during the ten underforces.
Scored the winning goal in the match against Germany Arttu Alasiurua hit for the second straight game. This time the goal came with an understrength.
– You can say that the underpowered game is a plus one, Nättinen smiles.
Goalkeeper Rimpi is especially to be thanked for a good underpowered game. Kiekko-Espoo’s veskari blocked 30 shots in the match and also a lot of runs by American players.
Good signs towards the NHL
The World Youth Championship is a good place to showcase players coming to the NHL’s reserve age, but also for undrafted players. Successes under the watchful eyes of the NHL’s talent scouts can thus also bring strong performances to Rimpiselle, 18, and Alasiurua, 19, a booking at next summer’s booking event.
– These crazy races played in North America can sometimes play too big a role when it comes to booking. Especially when playing against the United States and Canada, the player is easily remembered, Nättinen reflects.
– A single game certainly does not determine whether you get a booking or not, but if you get to play on the finals weekend and are able to maintain an upward level of playing, it at least does not reduce the chances.
Nättinen doesn’t think that Rimp (182 cm), who is short as a hockey goaltender, would be booked among the top players in the league just because of his size. However, Kiekko-Espoo’s veskari is a Finnish NHL star Juice from Saro (179 cm) slightly longer.
– Booking goalkeepers in the first round has been quite rare. It must be quite a Ylikylä goalkeeper, especially if you haven’t been booked the first time. I believe that you will get a reservation, but how high, it will definitely be negatively affected by his height.
Nättinen believes that Rimpine will be seen between the posts also in the match against Latvia on New Year’s Eve.
Finland goes into the match against Latvia as early favorites even though Latvia managed to defeat Canada.
– I hope and believe that the Finnish players got so much power from this victory that now we just put the gas down, Nättinen sums up.
Urheilu closely follows the under-20 hockey world championships in the application and on its website. The atmosphere is also broadcast on Urheilurutu and Urheiluradio.