The International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF plans to apply for Olympic status for 3×3 ice hockey. Veli-Matti Savinainen and Antti Pennanen are not the biggest fans of the sport.
If the International Ice Hockey Federation’s plans come true, the 2030 Olympics will feature three-on-three ice hockey.
The IIHF is currently finalizing a proposal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the sport’s Olympic status. The official application is supposed to be sent in January and the IOC would decide on the matter by the end of next year.
If implemented, the renewed sport would not be the first of its kind, as three-on-three basketball has already been seen at the Olympics. The IIHF has also already tried the sport in various tournaments.
The Lions’ players react to the news with mixed feelings. Trouper Harri Pesonen find the concept interesting.
– I should probably see a bit and try what it’s like, but yes, at least it hurts and happens, so whatever, Pesonen says.
– All sports always need some encouragement, how to get the public and consumers to discover the sport, if it was this one.
“Savinainen would be an ace”
Pesos would already have his own favorite for three-on-three hockey. He would take Veli-Matti Savinainen to his team.
– I bet that Savinainen’s Vellu, for example, would be quite an ace in that team. He would definitely be my choice when a guy is needed to solve a tight spot, says Pesonen.
Peeking in the background, Savinainen says honestly that she doesn’t think very well of the sport.
– At least it doesn’t make this man scream more.
Although Pesonen hinted that you would be a pretty good player for this sport?
– Even if he hinted, he still won’t get my support, at least for that effort.
More countries included?
Savinainen reminds that the concept was tried in previous years also in the SM league. Then HIFK, Kärpät, Ilves, TPS and Tappara participated in the 3v3 Super Series.
– Has it ever worked? At least not in the SM league when they tried it. It then turned into a farce and a joke. That experiment is well remembered. It didn’t get much praise.
Lions head coach Antti Pennanenka is not a fan of 3×3 hockey. However, he understands that with the change, like basketball, more countries can join hockey in the Olympics.
– If we talk about the game, I’m not a favorite or a friend of it. At worst, it’s pretty low-intensity hockey, says Pennanen.
For example, in the hockey SM league and the NHL, overtime is already played with three against three. They have often seen cancellation, return and making sure that the team does not lose the puck in the wrong place.
The IIHF has not yet published exact information on what size rink the new sport should be played on. According to the IIHF, the sides, benches and others of the rink would be the same as in the Olympic rink, but the size of the ice area would be smaller.
For example, in November, the women’s 3×3 series in Brazil is played on a 26×18-meter area, while the Olympic ice is 60×30 meters.
– If it’s three against three, then it’s definitely worth doing (playing in a smaller area). Then there is more intensity, struggle and other aspects of hockey, says Pennanen.