The young people of Finland stayed perfectly in Canada’s ride alongside the top players. Even though Naisleijonat lost to Canada, the performances of Julia Liikala and Kiira Yrjäsä left a positive taste.
Sari Sirkki,
Samu Saatsi
Although the Finnish women’s national ice hockey team succumbed to tough Canada in their opening game of the World Cup 1–4, the performance of the Naisleijonien’s youth department left a positive feeling among the team.
– It’s great to see that the younger players of the new generation come in and play without prejudice. It warms the mind and promises good things for the future, head coach Juuso Toivola stated to Urheilu, satisfied with his protégé’s actions.
Two players, a defender, made their debut in Finland’s shirt in the Canada match Krista Parkkonen20, and the attacker Kiira Yrjänen20. Both survived their first value game well.
Also one of the clearest successes of the younger generation was Finland’s only goal in the match. The Finnish giant was born at the age of 21 Julia Liikalan from the stage.
Liikala responded to the rapidly changing demands in the match. After playing in Finland’s first team Petra Nieminen commanded from the back to tackle to the shower, elevated head coach Toivola Liikalan to Finland’s top chain and number one powerhouse.
I liked the opening hit of the contest
At the finish, Liikala also got help from the senior guard. He hit the veteran Michelle Karvinen from the return puck created by the pull.
– I saw that “Misu” was going to shoot and I decided to smell the loose puck. It went straight to the shoulder, so there was an empty goal in front of you to put the puck in, Liikala repeated his own hit.
Although the World Championships is Liikala’s third prestigious tournament, the goal was the first in prestigious competitions. It felt really good for the goal scorer that it happened in the first match.
– Of course, it was great that I scored a goal in the first match. It increases self-confidence and I know that I can hit the goal when the opportunity comes.
According to Liikala, the change in chain compositions was not surprising. He says that he has already gotten used to people like him and that he considers himself to be quite adaptable.
– It was sad that such a top player like Petra left, he is still a big part of our team, Liikala thought.
Yrjässä’s veivs narrowly missed the goal
Kiira Yrjänen, who made her debut in the match, got into the spotlight like Liikala in the opening set.
Elisa Holopainen cut off the Canadian pass right at the end of the opening set and accelerated through. The Canadians hooked Holopainen off the puck for a penalty shot.
Juuso Toivola made Yrjäses shoot the hard man. Yrjæsse’s effort was tricky when he slowed down on the way to the finish line and turned his left side towards the finish line. The attacker then quickly turned the puck on his knuckles and back to his palm, reaching the little black towards the bottom left corner of the goal. Canadian goalkeeper Ann-Renee Desbiens just reached the front of his skates.
– It has been seen before and he has succeeded in it. We also trusted that he would succeed this time as well. There was no goal, but there were all the reasons for his selection, because his tricks have worked in the past, head coach Toivola firmly stated.
– I tried to take the puck as far as possible, but the goalie just got his skate in front of him. In hindsight, I probably should have lifted it or tried to use sticks. This time it just didn’t work, Yrjänen himself reflected after the match with a smile.
For Yrjäs, the tough place in his WC debut did not bring any extra excitement.
– I was very confident, I knew what I was doing. It was nice to get to shoot, he threw.