The Finnish women’s national ice hockey team has focused on physics, but the team has fallen behind in puck skills.
The Finnish women’s national ice hockey team experienced a shock defeat on Wednesday, when it was left out of the medal games for the first time in its World Cup history. Sports experts Minttu Tuominen and Ismo Lehkonen tell why the historical situation has been reached.
Both highlight the skill level of Finns. According to Tuominen, the Czech Republic was generally more skilled with the puck than Finland. It got away from Finland’s pressure, moved the game forward and was able to create more chances.
– In my opinion, the Czech Republic has caught up with Finland more game-wise than Finland has caught up with the North Americans. The Czech Republic has developed the most in individual skills, says Tuominen.
Tuominen reminds that many Czech players have sought speed from US universities, where a lot of focus is on individual skills. It can also be seen in the playing of the Czech Republic.
The basics are missing
Lehkonen has also noted the transfer of players from other countries to better leagues. Therefore, the defeat of the Lionesses did not come as a surprise to him. However, according to him, there are many reasons why Finland was left out of the medal games for the first time.
– One of the biggest is that our coaching has been focused on the wrong things for a long time. First, you have to put the basics in order, before moving on to the assigned things. They have not been fixed at all, says Lehkonen.
For example, Lehkonen is surprised that in Finland it has not been possible to develop the skating of girls and women players to an international level.
– When we talk about elite-level skating or international-level skating, it’s largely about hitting. Not many players there can challenge the international top with skating, says Lehkonen.
According to Lehkonen, the basic aspects of puck handling, such as passing and possession, are also at a miserable level.
– This is clearly visible in the game, especially when playing against Canada and the United States. It comes even harsher directly to the eyes.
According to Lehkonen, puck handling and especially its protection are emphasized in women’s matches, as Tackling is not allowed.
Radical changes?
According to Lehkonen, being in the semifinals serves as a good wake-up call for the decision-makers of Finnish hockey. According to the expert, they must sit at the same table.
– It’s good that this came to this place. Now the people in the decision-making bodies sit down, make decisions and make big and radical changes so that coaching can help the players.
According to Lehkonen, the finger of blame points to the coaching system.
– It has to be put in such condition that it really serves women’s hockey.
According to Tuominen, the players of the Finnish national team are at a really good level in physical training and a lot of effort is also put into it. He says that you should still invest in training in the same way.
A good example of a player focused on puck skills is a 20-year-old World Cup debutant Krista Parkkonen.
– He has done a lot of skill training in his own time. He was a really fresh new player and surely he will play in the future in a football role in the national team.
“Pretty embarrassing situation”
The national team has talked about developing strength levels. However, according to Lehkonen, the operation of the ice level should be brought to the fore.
– Ice level activities in terms of sports skills and teamwork must be in the center and in order. At the end of the day, test results and things outside the rink are secondary things if you can’t get the operation of the ice level right. It must be put in the center of women’s hockey activities in the future.
However, before the final analysis of the World Cup tournament, Finland will still play in the 5th–8th place. With two wins, Finland would secure its place in Group A for next season.
– It’s a good thing for small countries and it’s really good that they play. In this case, when Finland is involved, it’s quite an embarrassing situation. It’s going to be a long night for the girls, both mentally and physically, says Lehkonen.