Finland’s World Cup tournament ended with a quarter-final loss to Canada. According to head coach Jukka Jalonen, Leijonat dominated the game, but was worse in finishing.
Head coach of the Finnish men’s national ice hockey team Jukka Jalonen arrived to be tested by the media disappointed, but surprisingly calm. Behind was a 1-4 loss to Canada in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
In Thursday’s late night match, Jalonen’s period of great success as the head coach of the Lions ended, when fast-paced Canada immunized Finland from mistakes. Inefficiency plagued Tampere throughout the race career, except for a couple of narrow victories.
– The fact was that the more efficient team won. We created more chances than the opponent. We probably had the puck for 65 percent of the game. When you can’t score a goal, this is what happens.
Canada scored a goal in the first and a goal in the second period, but Jalonen came up with the decisive one Michael Carconen a complete hit at the beginning of the third period.
– The third goal at the beginning of the third period. It was a pain in the ass. Until then we were in the game and in control.
– We had enough chances to score three goals. Just not done.
Teemu Hartikainen reduced to 1–3 in the final minutes of the match. Kiri was missing.
In recent years, Jalonen Leijonat has been a winning machine that has played carefully, managed in special situations, defended well and been able to stretch enough. The goalkeeping has also been top class. In Tampere, only the underpowered game seemed to work from the old strengths.
Canada’s first and second goals came from counter-attacks, which involved the Finnish defense fumbling.
– We had a few uncharacteristic mistakes in the match, Jalonen admitted.
Semi-final loss after 13 years
During Jalonen’s first period as head coach, Leijonat missed the World Cup quarterfinals in 2009 and 2010.
The World Championship in 2011 and the Olympic bronze in 2010 left the whole on the positive side, although the World Cup home games in 2012 and 2013 were tight again with fourth places.
A grumpy head coach was often seen in front of the media. Since then, the situation has been different.
– This profession involves fans and the media taking a stand, hardened Jalonen said.
During the current head coach period, Finland has achieved two world championships, Olympic gold and World Cup silver. The semifinal loss was the first of the current season.
A year from now, the World Championships will be held in the Czech Republic. Jalonen’s contract extends up to that point, and he assures that there is enough desire to work, even though the trip ended too early.
– I’m not waving the white flag.