The Lions ’committed team package is well piled up, but playing in a fast-paced match is a question mark for the team. The expert also needs more efficiency in scoring.
22.5. 06:35 • Updated May 22nd. 06:38
The Finnish men’s hockey national team has the block victory in the World Championships in its own hands on Tuesday Kari Jalosen against the Czech Republic. Sweden is struggling for the top spot with the Lions, four points away from playing one match.
The Finnish men’s hockey national team won the opening round of the World Championships in the second to last match in Austria 3–0. Sports Expert Juha Juujärvi highlighted three excerpts from the situation of the Lions.
1. The lion has a package in the pile
According to Juujärvi, the Lions again showed their discipline against Austria. The Finnish package stays well together and the game is ice-free. Players are also committed to the way they play, the defense and the rhythm of the game.
– Finland played the sixth game for nine days. The team had a chance to go for a rally, but Finland played really smart and mature. They only did what served the team and what was needed. Maybe even boring clinically, Juujärvi summed up.
With their clinical game, the Lions have won five of their six matches in the first round in purely regular time. The only loss is in the winning goal competition for Sweden.
2. How ready are Lions for fast-paced hockey?
According to Juujärvi, Leijonat has shown in the first series that it is difficult to win a team tactically in a pentathlon. However, one question mark is associated with the game of Lions.
– We have hardly received any answers on how ready the Lions are for fast-paced reaction games. Hopefully the Czech game will be clearly harder, and it won’t go too tactical fencing, Juujärvi says.
According to Juujärvi, it is a question mark how Lions can play at a good level in a harder tempo. During the first round, only Sweden offered one, but in the playoffs, such a team can also stand against another block.
– I think it’s a question mark, which has certainly been answered by the fact that the basic gameplay is crystal clear, which would make the game more responsive. Finland has chosen an extremely experienced team that would not be surprised in a situation of pressure, hard heat and chasing.
3. Painting efficiency
According to Juujärvi, there is still room for improvement in the efficiency of goal scoring and the creation of top places.
– It was a very good thing that (Teemu) Hartikainen got two assists in a really strong game, even though he still didn’t score a goal. To the second chain Toni Rajala – Valtteri Filppula are successful for the duo, but the goal-scoring game still needs versatility, Juujärvi says.
According to Juujärvi, Finland has the opportunity to increase its goals even with superiority, goal-setting and, above all, sharpness in counter-attacks.
– In general, goal scores are best created by playing fast after exploitation and when attacking the top five. As against Austria, it requires a break into the goal and stronger work by non-puck players in front of the goal.
The lions will play next time against the Czech Republic on Tuesday. The match starts at 20.20.