Jesse Puljujärvi shone in the Canada match, but the Lions’ biggest problem still hasn’t been solved, writes Jussi Paasi.
Jussi Paasi sports reporter
19:41•Updated 19:44
How should you start a hockey game? Well, of course, by scoring a goal as soon as you get on the ice for the first time.
What about after that? Well, a couple of minutes later, he was roaring in front of the goal, when his own team scored another goal. And even more NHL stars in the net of the cheering Canada.
Good audience: Jesse Puljujärvi!
People’s favorite “Pulju” had already played a decent World Cup by Saturday, but against the maple leaf jerseys, he was on fire.
In the second set, Finland was a complete underdog, and could not catch the puck game in any way. Canada collapsed. But then Puljujärvi struck again.
Sports expert Ismo Lehkonen hoped before the start of the World Championships that Puljujärvi would become a new marcoantilla, i.e. Mörkö.
Marko Anttila was a man of big games in Leijon. Mörkö decided important matches at the World Championships and the Olympics. When Anttila ended his national team career in the spring of last year, there was a gap of more than two meters left in the Finnish team to fill.
“Pulju” himself responded to the Mörkö comparison during the games, that the boots are quite big, but the role of the solver would be interesting.
Looks interesting. Puljujärvi has boasted its desire to play since the beginning of the tournament. It’s understandable, because there is an endless amount of difficulties and setbacks, including surgery on both hips.
Puljujärvi came to Prague to get a new boost for his career, and he seems to be getting one here. When the best success so far came against the strong Canada, you can only imagine how good it feels for the player himself.
Mörö’s boots still have a long way to go, but Puljujärvi seemed to be ready to solve games against the tournament’s champion favourites.
Puljujärvi was Leijoni’s overwhelming number one. A good runner-up was the goalkeeper, who perfectly endured the rain of pucks from the Canadians Harri Säteri.
Thereto Jukka Jalonen the joys actually run out. Finland managed to get involved in the game with Puljujärvi’s goals, but when Canada has more individual skills than Leijon, the result was expected.
Jalos has plenty to think about. Where was the Canada match Mikael Granlund? Where is the new number one chain? Answer: more or less lost. The lions’ big problem is still unsolved.