Lions’ head coach Jukka Jalosta was left to dig through the hooking ice whistled by the referee in overtime.
Simo Arkko,
Jussi Saarinen
The Finnish men’s national ice hockey team lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Ostrava with 1–2 goals.
The match ended dramatically in overtime Joel Eriksson, too to the goal with superiority. Finland’s corner freeze caused an uproar in Finnish coaching, because they interpreted Konsta Helenius raised Adrian Kempen bat in goal position.
– It’s always sad when you lose a big game. Especially in overtime to ice ice, which is not ice ice. More emphasized to take on the head after a clear referee error, head coach Jukka Jalonen uploaded to Urheilu
Jalonen did not see the situation live, but watched it on video. The head coach saw that Helenius raised the stick a couple of times, but never hit the center stick Adrian Kempen the glove.
– There was a chill, even though it was played completely cleanly. The referee observer still doesn’t agree, even though he sees for himself that he doesn’t hit.
– The judge is allowed to whistle, to make a mistake when he thinks there is a mistake. That’s fine then. I don’t know how it can go like that.
Leos at the right emotional level
Leijonat stayed involved in the match for a long time with its tremendous defensive battle and Emil Larmin thanks to the defenses. However, Sweden took the lead five minutes before the end of regular time by Rasmus Dahlin on goal, but Hannes Björninen control in the last minute brought the Lions to level.
According to Jalonen, Finland got the most out of the players on a personal level and as a team at the required level for the tough quarter-final match. He especially praised the emotional level and physics.
– An upbeat game and towards the end we improved. We were able to attack better and created good chances. It’s sad for the players.
What bothered the head coach in the tournament?
– Game over, nothing else. In the first very important game, we got into the state we wanted. The ending is sad.
“I can’t think about the big picture”
Jalonen coached Leijon for a total of 12 seasons. He achieved three world championships, Olympic gold and Olympic bronze, and World Championship silver and World Championship bronze.
After a huge disappointment, he “couldn’t” describe his feelings about the end of his career in more detail.
– I can’t think about the big picture when the game is at the forefront of my mind. And not in a very good mood because of the ending.
Feeling bitter?
– Bitterness is the wrong word. I’m just sad that the players didn’t get the reward they deserved today. Whenever an outsider mixes up the package, it hurts more.