HIFK striker Jere Innala scored two goals when the Finnish men’s hockey team won 4–2 in the Czech EHT.
Inka Henelius,
Matti Lehtisaari
30.4. 18:05 • Updated April 30th. 18:18
Striker Jere Innala has firmly grabbed a spot on the Lions team at the Spring World Championships. Inna had a tasty two-goal day in Finland’s 4–2 victory over Austria in the Ostrava EHT tournament.
Innala played together against Austria in the first field of the Lions Miro Aaltonen and Sakari Mannisen with. Innala used its display space effectively.
– Great players around, really nice to play, I enjoyed every moment. I try to play as well as possible and give screens, Innala told Sport.
On Thursday, against the Czech Republic, alongside Innala were Manninen and Teemu Hartikainenwhich formed Finland ‘s number one chain at the Beijing Olympics Markus Granlundin with. Now Granlund is not involved in the World Cup camping, so there would be a vacancy in the number one chain.
Innala has tried to play more straightforwardly than before.
– My intention was to get to shoot more myself and not always seek that feed. There will be shots and good situations, Innala pondered.
– Good feeling. One of the goals was a guide and the other came from a loose puck that I got to poke at the finish.
Innala barely missed the beach from the Lions Olympic team in Beijing, but was part of last year’s World Championship silver team. The past season at HIFK has also prepared him for international matches.
– I have developed into a more versatile player. I am no longer just a scorer, but I can also pass, Innala estimates.
Playing at HIFK tasted good and the early end of the domestic season flared.
– I had a good year, but the season ended too early. The season would have tasted better if we had gone further, Innala referred to HIFK’s drop from the Finnish Championship medal matches.
Finland’s sky in Ostrava’s EHT tournament will continue on Sunday, when it will face Sweden at 1 pm The World Hockey Championships will start on 13 May.