KalPa, playing in the Ice Hockey Women’s League, got a nasty twist in the championship fight, when the team’s number one forward Elisa Holopainen had to miss the season due to injury.
Holopainen was injured on January 22 in a match against HPK.
– Quite a harmless situation. In a game situation, I flew upside down, my leg got stuck and I flew on top of it. Yes, I immediately felt that now something could have gone worse. After that, we quickly went to the dressing room and went to the doctor, Holopainen’s time for Urheilu.
The doctor found out that the injury requires surgery. Holopainen hopes to be able to undergo surgery within two weeks.
Holopainen’s absence is a harsh loss for KalPa, as Holopainen leads both the league’s points market and goal market. In the 28 matches he has played, he has produced 41+34=75. KalPa is currently leading the Women’s League ahead of HIFK and Kiekko-Espoo.
Holopainen was chosen as the league’s November player.
– Holopainen solves games and carries his team on his shoulders from night to night. In November, he averaged three points per game. Elisa is always dangerous when she is on the court and she makes skating look incredibly easy, included the selection criteria. (you switch to another service)
However, it is certain that the Finnish striker will not be seen at the World Cup in April. The Women’s Ice Hockey World Cup will be played from 5 to 16 April in Canada.
– Now just to rehabilitate well and come back stronger. Of course, it’s a shame that you won’t be able to help the team in the spring games and you’ll miss the World Cup, but you can’t help but accept the situation. Now let’s do this job well, what lies ahead.
KalPa, who leads the series, is looking for its first championship. The team last played in the finals in the 2021 season, when Kiekko-Espoo won the series 3–1. Holopainen was with Kiekko-Espoo last season to celebrate the first Finnish championship of his career, but returned to KalPa for this season.
“It doesn’t help to dig rabbits out of hats”
KalPa leads the series with a seven point difference to HIFK. The team has lost in regular time only once – to HPK in the same match where Holopainen was injured.
Responsible coach of the team Mika Väärälä finds Holopainen’s absence unfortunate.
– Of course it’s a challenge, but Elisa has been an important scorer and scorer for us. Now the whole team just needs to be able to raise the level a little to achieve success on a wider front. What has been followed in training, the level of others has risen, commented Väärälä.
The scoring has not rested on Holopainen’s shoulders alone. In addition to Holopainen, the top ten scorers in the league include three other KalPa players: Jenna Kaila, Jenna Hietala and Johanna Juutilainen.
Last weekend, KalPa played for the first time without Holopais and defeated RoK twice: 5–0 and 8–1.
– We haven’t run out of goal scorers, laughs Väärälä.
– Our goalkeeping has been a strength this season, as has our defense. When they are kept at a high level, you don’t even need to score those goals so insanely.
In the coming weekend, KalPa will immediately find themselves in a tough spot, as they will skate against league runner-up HIFK.
– Their injury situation has gone a little opposite to ours. They had a bit more injuries in the early season, but now the situation seems better for them. We know that a very strong team and very good players. We have realized that the games get tougher towards the end, and there are no surprises here, Väärälä assures.
Väärälä describes the team’s injury situation as moderate.
– Tiina Ranne was absent for the first games in January, but his situation now looks like he will probably be included in the games at the weekend. Defender Tanja Koljosen there have been health problems, but can’t Tanja be included on some schedule? Otherwise, the situation looks good.
The regular season of the Women’s League ends on February 19, after which eight teams continue to the playoffs. KalPa is one of the strongest champion candidates this season. Kuopio has not yet been able to lift the Aurora Borealis trophy into the air.
– Yes, we have to rely on our own fundamentals, which have been there this season. We defend strongly and attack as a team. You can’t start pulling rabbits out of your hat here, as long as the basics are kept at a high level, we’ll see after the season whether there is any kind of medal or not at all, Väärälä concludes.
You can see the standings of the Women’s League at this link.