Jesse Puljujärvi’s three-goal night pleased Pittsburgh’s head coach, but the Finn was humble about his situation in the NHL.
A Finnish forward preparing for the NHL ice hockey season Jesse Puljujärvi flashed his goal-scoring skills when he completed three complete hits the night before Sunday in a practice match played Finnish time. Puljujärvi’s hat trick still slowed down the opponent’s progress just a little. The Pittsburgh Penguins, represented by the Finnish forward, lost to the Buffalo Sabres, with a score of 3–7.
Both teams played with trial crews in the opening of the training match season, so the 26-year-old Puljujärvi belonged directly to the champion section. He completed the 1-0 goal for the 21-year-old Finnish striker chasing a place Ville Koivunen pass in the first period.
A Finnish defenseman who has enjoyed several seasons in the NHL Henri Jokiharju primer JJ Peterkan equalizer shortly after Puljujärvi’s goal. At the beginning of the second period, Jokiharju again grabbed an assist to Peterka’s full hit and scored Buffalo’s 4–1 lead himself. Peterka crowned his match with the third complete hit and completed the 6–1 readings.
Puljujärvi’s goal was scored by Buffalo’s Finnish goalkeeper Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen behind the back.
Puljujärvi is humble about his prospects for playing time, even though he gave solid displays.
– Many good players are fighting for the same playing spots. Every day you have to do your best and trust yourself, Puljujärvi, who gave interviews shirtless in the dressing room said in a video posted on Pittsburgh’s website.
Puljujärvi played strong World Cup competitions, but the Finn’s NHL career has been in tatters. Last year, Puljujärvi’s hips were operated on, and he was only able to play in the spring season. Now he enjoys being able to play without pain.
The Finn’s game look pleases the head coach of Pittsburgh Mike Sullivan.
– He looks stronger. He is able to skate better and keep pace from shift to shift and in practice, the head coach said on Pittsburgh’s website.
Sullivan praised Puljujärvi’s work ethic, which helped the Finn clear his way back to the NHL arena after adversity.
– The longer the recovery time, the better. He has done a lot of work again in the training season.
In the other training matches of the round, the Finns got a taste of the goal Kasperi Kapanenwhich made it 1-2 for St. Louis in the net of the Dallas Stars. The goal was the last of the match.