The Lions’ World Cup team released on Sunday has four NHL forwards and one NHL defenseman. There are a total of 16 men’s world champions and ten Olympic champions. Expectations for the home games are high.
The versatility of the attacking team is Urheilu’s expert Juha Juujärven according to the Finnish team’s greatest strength. At least Patrik Laine the absence does not significantly change the team’s preferences.
– The attacking team has a lot of top skills, but also really reliable two-way players. Juujärvi sums up that there is enough overpowering and underpowering expertise.
Definitely the biggest star of the Finnish team is the forward of the Colorado Avalanche Mikko Rantanen. The TPS-bred scored 55+50 power points in the NHL regular season. Juujärvi puts Rantanen among the top ten attackers in the world in terms of comprehensiveness.
– He can play as a winger or as a center forward, and make a result. In addition, Rantanen is a very strong grappling player, and in one-on-one playing is the strongest name in these games, Juujärvi shakes.
In addition to Rantanen, there are NHL forwards in the team Kasperi Kapanen, Joel Armia and Kaapo Kako. Juujärvi believes that the coaching staff of the Lions will arrange an attack chain around Rantanen specifically with NHL players, for example Armia and Kako.
Hard misses
Lions head coach Jukka Jalonen stated in the Jääkieksliitto’s press release that choosing this year’s team was the most difficult of his time as head coach. Among other things, the attacking team dropped out Markus Granlundwhich has formed a power chain together in recent years Sakari Manninen mixed Teemu Hartikainen with.
– Dropping Granlund was a hard decision, because they have had a working chain in the past, Juujärvi emphasizes.
Among other things, the one who won the Olympic and World Championship gold last year was left out of the defense Petteri Lindbohm. Strong offensively Valtteri Kemiläinen was also left out of the freezer. Juujärvi assumed that the defender who won the Finnish championship and the CHL in Tappara would have been included in the team.
– I expected that he would be there as a “right” defender and a good dominant player. When you can afford to drop a defensive player of Lindbohm’s level and an attacking player of Kemiläinen’s level, you really have a lot to choose from, Juujärvi sums up.
Juujärvi believes that the level of fighting strength and defensive play of the experienced team is sufficient for the World Cup. In the last games, puck skills were found in the pack, for example Sami Vatanen and Miro Heiskanen under. This is not the case now.
– In defense, instead of the fighting game, the focus is on where the team’s puck skills are. Mikko Lehtonen has a big role, and the driver of the number one advantage, Juujärvi reflects.
He lifts Olli Määtä bring up the name. The experienced NHL defenseman is known for his defensive play, but now there may be a bigger role on the puck.
– He is a versatile player and brings leadership to the team, Juujärvi sums up.
Clear roles in the team
Among Jalonen’s trusted players in recent years, there are attackers among others Hannes Björninen mixed Marko Anttila. Along with them, there will probably be, for example, a four-way chain Ahti Oksanen. In addition, for example Jere Sallinen and Juho Lammikko are Jalonen’s trusted players.
Juujärvi believes that a lot of thought has been given to the role when choosing the team. Superpowers and underpowers seem to find their own talents.
– The playing time may be broken if there are many players who do not play over or under strength, Juujärvi clarifies.
One of the most talked about players who appeared in EHT games was Kasperi Kapanen. The St. Louis Blues forward wasn’t at his best in the preseason, but is still with the team.
– Jalose has shared experience in the junior national team with Kapanen. Jalonen certainly wants him to get the best out of Kapase. Kapanen is such a skilled and powerful player at his peak level, Juujärvi analyzed.
The expert also has credit for Finnish goalkeepers. Emil Larmi mixed Christian Heljanko won the championships of their countries in the season that ended, but Juujärvi raises Juho Olkinuoran still as a possible number one guard for the Lions.
– Olkinuora has had a difficult season, but he is Jalonen’s trusted man and has proven his own skills. I think he’ll get going.
Juujärvi believes in traditional Finnish defensive strength.
– I believe that behind Finland’s strong five-man defense, these goalkeepers have a chance to be the top scorers in the tournament, he concludes.