There is a long queue in front of the main doors of the Helsinki ice rink even before the doors open. The reason is simple: co-owner of Jokeri Esa Lindell and Dallas’ other NHL stars have arrived for a fan meeting in the corridor of the hall.
At half past six on Tuesday evening, the doors open and people rush in. A rare event is of great interest and after a few minutes it is not possible to see the end of the queue.
Some immediately notice that queuing is not worth it: they are content to take pictures further away from Lindell, even though a voice asks people to move to the back of the queue.
Lindell chats with fans with a smile. Fans take group photos and sign autographs on fan shirts. It is striking that one of the fans has in his possession an Esa Lindell fan shirt from the early 2010s.
A fan introduces himself Marko Kemppiseks and says that he already waited ten minutes outside the hall.
– He is a part owner of our club and as the shirt says, I have sometimes followed Esa’s games during the League days. It is history how he has managed since then, Kemppinen justifies his waiting.
A passionate and long-time supporter of the Jokers Pasi Mähönen went to chat with Lindell as well. It is especially great for Mähösen that Lindell, who has a Jokerit background, has joined the club.
– It can’t be nicer. These guys (Lindell et Teuvo Teräväinen) joined Jokers and more Valtteri Filppula to the team. They give a face to this hustle.
– We already have a fan culture, so this is a great addition.
I don’t remember seeing similar queues at similar fan meetings. However, Mähönen has a point of comparison a little further than the journalist.
– Yes, in the 90s there were also quite long queues in these. It would be nice to see the gang come to these Mestis games anyway.
– More fans should be mobilized. We have such a hevijuseri section, 4000–5000 viewers, but it would be nice to have more. Everything is needed for the talkies.
After walking several tens of meters to the end of the line, I realize that Lindell will not have time to sign autographs for everyone in the half-hour window. Many have to leave the queue disappointed without an appointment.
Lindell is already in a hurry moving forward, but I feel like I’m allowed to ask two questions of the Dallas defender.
– Really cool. There are a lot more people here than I expected. It’s nostalgic, since it’s been quite a while since I’ve been to a Joker game, says Lindell.
Lindell had previously said that arriving at the Jokerit match is voluntary for the players. In the end, a dozen players arrived.
– In fact, they may have been a bit left with this first job. Maybe they feel cheated, Lindell smiles.
– I bet that the number would possibly have decreased a bit if they had known, but we are doing good here. Nice to see that there is even this much of a gang here from us too.
The players are gone, but the chairman of the Jokers Mikko Saarni opens backgrounds in more detail. He reveals that the club works closely with Dallas. For example, Jokerit was in Dallas last year and now Dallas has arrived as Jokerit’s guest.
– We exchange ideas about the future of hockey, the level of the sport and players, and what it takes to be an NHL player today. It has changed quite a lot in ten years.
– We have also learned about commercialism, which is perhaps done better in the NHL than anywhere else, at least when it comes to hockey.
Lindell is one of the club’s co-owners. According to Saarni, Lindell participates in discussions and always helps the Jokers when he can.
– It’s great to get his views on certain things. Väänänen Ossi has a lot to do with Esa. I don’t know how in detail, but I know there is a conversation going on.
It’s getting close to half past seven. Jokerit takes everything out of Lindell. The NHL defenseman arrives to drop the opening puck of the match and gets a big round of applause from the crowd. A large part stands up.
The puck falls to the ice once and for all, and there is a bit of uncertainty about the Jokers’ play. Even though they are facing a series jumbo, the Jokerit can’t get any pressure on the offensive end.
In the end, Jokerit succeeds when there is no one else on the field Valtteri Filppula. However, the passes of the scheming Konkar still do not find their way, so Hokki is spared from setbacks in the opening set.
Although the first NHL game is in Tampere only on Friday, a good number of Dallas supporters have arrived. One of them, Edwin Esparzaimmediately brings up in the conversation that Filppula is a former NHL player.
– We arrived here today by ship from Stockholm. Someone said hey Jokers is playing today. He said we have to go, because Lindell is one of the owners of the club, Esparza says.
– We love the Finns of Dallas, Esparza adds.
Esparza pointed out that Mestis has fast players, quite strong ones too.
– This is exciting. The players are strong and tough to tackle, Esparza says.
Esparza has already visited the sights of Helsinki with other supporters.
– I have a friend from Finland and I hope we will see him today. We do everything in town and have fun.
Mähönen’s characterization of the audience numbers is correct, as 4,045 spectators have arrived this time as well. Jokerit finally celebrates the victory Jesse Liuksialan, by Alexander Forslund and Riku Tuomolan with goals. One second assist is recorded for Filppula.