Naisleijonat plays this week in the Swedish EHT tournament. In the opening match, Finland will face the Czech Republic on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
KUOPIO. Juuso Toivola shakes the snowflakes off his shoulders, opens the door and enters.
This time, the head coach of the Finnish women’s national ice hockey team has arrived at the ice rink in Kuopio as a guest of KalPa.
KalPa’s head coach Mika Väärälä is opposite and greets Toivola. Toivola has already had time to tour many other clubs in the Women’s League during the fall and early winter.
– I would love to go to these meetings every week. These are always rewarding events to talk to the players and coaches, Toivola enthuses.
However, Kalpa’s visit is somehow special for Toivola. KalPa won 26 matches in a row and is the top team in the Women’s League.
New name at the top
The people of Espoo have dominated the Women’s League to their heart’s content. Kiekko-Espoo has won the two previous Finnish championships. Before that, Espoo Blues had won the championship 13 times in the 2000s.
In recent years, HIFK has risen to undermine the dynasty of the people of Espoo. KalPa has registered as a challenger this season.
KalPa lost its first match of the season on December 10, when HPK won 4–3 in the winning goal race.
Started as KalPa’s head coach last spring Mika Väärälä has stressed one thing in particular to his players: staying focused only on the next match.
Väärälä still can’t find words for the coming spring and the most important matches of the season.
– We try to keep the game as simple as possible. When the concentration becomes weak, for example, twitching and crouching freezes start to appear. We have to be reminded of this, and we have been able to be quite ice-free.
An egalitarian atmosphere
Väärälä and KalPa’s new coaching team receive praise from the players.
In addition to coaching, KalPa got stronger after the summer with several quality players. One of them is 21 years old Jenna Kailawho has been successful in his new club.
– For me, it is important that coaching is equal. Everyone feels good and important, no matter the role, says Kaila.
You can read between the lines that such a situation is not always self-evident.
– Success comes when everyone is on the same page and of equal value, a striker who has already played in KalPa for a long time Johanna Juutilainen stress.
Toivola ignites a spirit of togetherness
In the locker room corridor, Naisleijonien’s head coach Toivola greets KalPa’s players.
Toivola is ready to discuss the game and the national team with certain KalPa players.
Kaila has managed to break into Naisleijon and is especially looking forward to meeting Toivola.
Kaila joined Naisleijonien for the first time in November.
– I would like to talk to him about my own areas of development. What do I need to take the next step and establish a place in the national team?
Female lions have been in great turmoil in recent years, first Pasi Mustonen towards the end of the head coaching season.
After Toivola jumped in to replace Mustonen, the problems haven’t completely gone away: the World Championships ended in a huge disappointment in early autumn. There were also commotions.
KalPa has had a different mood.
Toivola has noticed the good spirit of the people of Kuopio.
– They have been able to assemble the group into a very united team. That’s the key stuff. Good everyday work, good common spirit and good competitive feeling. That’s what it consists of.
Going into the Christmas break, KalPa leads the league with a ten point difference to HIFK. Kiekko-Espoo is third.
Juutilainen, who has played in KalPa for a long time, believes that the people of Espoo will increase their rounds in the spring.
– I still think HIFK has been better than them this season, Juutilainen underlines.
Toivola’s visit continues on the side of the rink with training. The first conversations with the players have taken place, and at least Kaila was satisfied with what she heard.
– The conversation brought peace of mind to my own work. I got the same thoughts from Juuso that were in my mind. There was also talk of little things that I can file.
Kaila is not participating in Naisleijon in the Swedish EHT tournament on 14.–17.12. They play in the EHT tournament from KalPa Elisa Holopainen and Sanni Rantala.
You can read about the team on the website of the Jääkieckoliito. (you switch to another service)