Many of Finland played far from their best level in the tournament, writes Jussi Paasi.
Jussi Paasi
The four -country tournament of the hockey NHL will be played in Montreal and Boston from 13 to 21 June. February. All news and speech topics in the NHL’s four -country tournament can be found here.
Boston.
The atmosphere was like a funeral. Quiet and devoted.
The communication of players and coaches was clearly part of the top rows of Boston Arena. The air conditioning of the arena made louder noise while the game was running than the audience, even though the galleries were full to the brim.
After all, this is not the same tournament as the one we admired a couple of days ago in Montreal.
A few fine bumps were heard when Connor McDavid And other Canadian stars played with the lions. The biggest voice from the audience went on advertising breaks as viewers were able to compete with a media cube.
Yes, we are now in the US, and the home team didn’t play, but still. In each game in Montreal, the atmosphere was quite different.
The lions’ grip on Canada is well suited to the mood. The maple leaf shirts did not give Finland the slightest chance.
The game was settled before it started properly. The numbers were to Canada 3-0 after the opening round. The match was then played. The audience yawned.
At the very end of the match, the Lions got a wonderful boost and rose from the 1-4 loss to the goal. But it doesn’t change the big picture.
The causes of the bottom?
The Lions won one of the three games of the tournament. The victory from Sweden was significant, but the losses for North American teams are a negative brand.
There is really nothing surprising about the losses. Canada and the US are ahead of Finland and Sweden. But the way in which the Lions were lost was to make questions aware.
It is noteworthy that many of the Finnish players were far from their best level in the tournament. Where were Sebastian Aho and Roope Hintz?? Just dark in all games. Alexander Barkivaka Didn’t see too much. And not Artturi Lehko.
The list could continue for as long as long. We can only guess the reasons for the bottom. Did some players have injuries or illnesses? In any case, the loud presentation of the Canada game-except for the rest of the minutes-left a fragile picture of the lion.
The difference to the Swedish match was huge.
Monday in Finland was the victory of the NHL’s four -country tournament. If Finland had made a miracle and advanced to the finals by winning Canada, it would have been a big disappointment for the organizer.
Everything is here for the dream finals. And now the Rivalry desired by everyone is realized. The first meeting between the US and Canada in Montreal was a bloody experience. The final is promised to expect a lot.
The results do not lie. The role of Finland and Sweden was to participate in the tournament to be called a tournament.