All news and speech topics in the NHL’s four -country tournament can be found here.
The Finnish men’s hockey team won Sweden 4-3 on Saturday. On Monday, the team will face Canada in the final series.
Immediately after the victory, the Lions traveled to the United States and Boston on Saturday night, where the block’s closing ramparts and the finals are played. The Canada match is a stake in the final place. The United States has already secured its place in the final of the NHL’s four -country tournament.
Sports Expert Ismo Lehkonen In this story, anticipates the highly important Canada game.
Chemistry in search
– If it was said at the beginning of the tournament that the final game was in the final position and by winning Canada, Canada would remain a jumbo in the block, then it would surely have been to everyone, Lehkonen begins.
Canada and Finland have one overtime victory and one loss in their pockets. Sweden is the last two overtime losses in the block. All three countries have two points.
If the Lions take a three -point win from Canada, it will surely play in the finals against the United States.
Lehkonen sees Finland’s interest in traveling to Boston before Canada, who played in Saturday’s late match against the United States.
– Finland has a few hours more recovery below.
In addition, for example, Canadian media Sportsnet reportedthat the Canadian team reached their hotel in Boston on Sunday until morning. Montreal has rained a lot of snow, which has messed up air traffic. This also delayed Canada’s journey to Boston.
Finland avoided the weather challenges, as due to the earlier game time, it reached Montreal with even better circumstances.
Lehkonen mentions that Finland’s offensive fields have not yet found properly chemistry in the tournament. However, one chain in Sweden was already showing better.
– Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Patrik Laine The field formed by the field found its chemistry in the Swedish match. The other three fields have still had to apply.
– I wouldn’t say anyone was underperformed, but the claim has been really tough in the tournament. Finding a quick connection to offensive play is not that easy in such a short preparation. I would estimate that the team was on the ice before the first match of the tournament well under 120 minutes.
Lehkonen has a clear message to Finnish attackers.
– Dare to take a little positive risk and enjoy that reel playing.
Canada’s star cream against
The Canadian team consists of a more prominent superstar. However, the team’s extracts in the tournament have not convinced.
In the opening match, Canada won Sweden after overtime 4-3. The team then bent bitterly to its worst competitor, 1-3.
– Especially that coaching team appeals quite a bit to feelings. In front of the home audience in Montreal, the United States completely subjugated the Canadian team physically and even skillfully, Lehkonen sees.
According to the expert, Finland’s challenge against Canada is especially a reel and fast game.
– Feeling alongside is not enough quick cans, such as Nathan MacKinnonia and Connor McDavidia against. The pressure must be given and even a little bit of a bit of stops to stop the Canadians. Canada should not be allowed to escape in a reel game.
Defense among the best in Finland
Before the tournament, Finland’s biggest concern was the defense when injured Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Ristolainen and Jani Hakanpää stayed home.
To replace the US game successful Henri Jokiharju mixed Bravery and Nikolas Matinpalo. Matinpalo is the only field player in the four -country tournament, having no NHL reservation.
Lehkonen says he was not a “clip” when new defenders were named Heiskanen, Ristolainen and Hakanpää in the Lion.
– We have an undervalued defender trio, which is not much talked about.
The biggest responsibility of the Finnish defenders in the early series has been borne Esa Lindell, Niko Mikkola and Olli Määttä. Lindell and Mikkola clocked the most ice time in the Swedish match. Both played for more than 25 minutes. Määttä is Finland’s third most icebreaker.
– Määttä is a stunning dude. After all, he has two (Stanley Cup) ring. Yes, now all people saw how a good defender Määttä is, Lehkonen praises.
In the Swedish match Kevin Lankinen See you with Finnish paint in Canada. Lankinen stretched against Sweden for 21 tackles and took an important fight in overtime, just before Mikael Granlund Winning goal.
Lehkonen finds the goalkeeper difficult, but he would have leaned on Lankinen.
– In both matches for Finnish goalkeepers (Juuse Saros And Kevin Lankinen) has gone like such a fun gig. I’m not saying easy, but paints they wouldn’t have wanted to give.
“Learning to the Coaching Team”
Finnish head coach Antti Pennanen46, has been a big screen in the best players’ tournament. For the first time, he is leading the Finnish national team of NHL players.
Pennanen’s leading Lions coaching team also includes Jussi Tapola, Mikko Manner, Aki Näykki as well as video coaches Jukka Varmanen and Lauri Merikivi. Tuomo Ruutu were called a little trough and Due to their NHL coaching experience.
– Yes, this has been a really tough learning trip for them. There have been so many changing factors that are not really able to make a series in Europe, Lehkonen says when it comes to coaching in Finland.
-The game is completely different from the World Cup or EHT games. I think coaching has been successful. I’m not saying brilliantly, but let’s say ok-plus. This is pretty nice to start to improve the third game.
Lehkonen is waiting for a small goalkeeper screen in Canada.
-If the Swedish game was a thriller, this can be a Saletistist in Canada. Here is a great opportunity for a long time to hit Finnish ice hockey on a success map.