Rauman Lukko is one of the early season successes of the SM league. Having increased their player budget, the people of Rauma have relied on attacking play and being active. It’s cool at the top of the SM league, when just under a quarter of the regular season has been played.
– Luka has good players and a team with skating power that is capable of very active hair-raising. Last year they destroyed the opponent’s entertainment starts, but this year it has been at an even better level, Urheilu’s expert Ismo Lehkonen says.
– In terms of entertainment value, Lukko is number one in the SM league.
Lukko is also able to turn the game around in the defensive area with surprisingly bold solutions, but with sure performance. On the other hand, in the attack zone, the team rotates and cleverly changes positions.
Sports director Kalle Sahlstedt has been satisfied with his team’s results. However, one thing has come as a surprise.
– We play hockey with offensive victories, so it’s even a little surprising that the defensive game and the goalie game have been really tight, says Sahstedt.
Lock competes for viewers
Sahlstedt is right. Five of Luko’s fourteen matches have ended in a draw. Artyom Zagidul has guessed the scorer with 93.88 percent certainty. There are only 1.24 conceded per match.
– We have the potential to improve in another direction. The attacking play has not been as fresh as it could be. There is quite a lot to improve, says Sahlstedt.
Lukko is an equally interesting boost to the hockey SM league, where defensive play and tactics have been emphasized in recent years. In particular, the Liiga’s low number of goals compared to other leagues has sparked talk.
According to Sahlstedt, striving for hockey that entertains the public is really important in Luko.
– I think a lot about it so that we compete for viewers. I would hope that we can play excellent hockey, where there is speed and dangerous situations. You don’t cancel unless you have to, says Sahlstedt.
According to Sahlstedt, Lukko has relied on this Pekka Virran since the coaching season. Lukko won the championship with an offensive winning game in the spring of 2021.
He believes that in the way that Lukko strives for, more and more championships will be won in the future.
– I believe in that hockey. We have proven that with such hockey you can win the championship in Finland. Besides, I think it’s the kind of crap people want to see.
What kind of hockey will win championships in the 2020s? Marko Virtanen, Anrei Hakulinen and Kalle Sahlstedt’s answer to the question can be seen in the video below.
Acting as Luko’s head coach for the second season Marko Virtanen is on the same lines. He states that the international game is also going more in the direction of playing slow starts more when it suits the rhythm of the game.
– We want the audience to enjoy themselves in the hall as well. I myself like to watch fast and fast puck, where we go, we hit everyone and the situations come quickly. I think the game of träppi vs träppi is quite boring.
The trip took a turn
Virtanen is particularly satisfied with the team’s commitment in the early season. It has been one of Luko’s main themes since the summer and has also been seen in defensive play.
– At the moment, we are on a really good path. Commitment is one of the biggest values and it’s good to start building on it.
However, the defensive game was not yet at its peak during the training season. At that time, Lukko conceded an average of three goals per match.
The August tournament in Slovakia and the team’s trip together for almost a week was the captain Anrei Hakulinen according to, however, revolutionary.
– Then we were together all the time and we welded together better. I think that was an important piece of the team’s process.
According to Virtanen, Lukko is far ahead in terms of commitment, for example last season, which was more difficult for the team from Rauma. According to Sahlstedt, Virtanen has also improved since last year.
– He had things that could be improved, and I am extremely happy that Marko has improved them. He has been an excellent coach for us, says Sahlstedt.
Virtanen’s contract is on hold
Virtanes does not yet have a contract with the club for next season. According to Virtanen, his situation will be reviewed during the national team break.
According to Sahlstedt, it is possible for Virtanen to continue as Luko’s main commander. However, he points out that there are many really good coaches in Finland.
– When the contract is interrupted, the club’s task is always to survey the other available coaches and think about possible candidates from there. I see that Marko has very good opportunities to continue in the future, Sahlstedt spins.
This season, however, Lukko wants to put Kärpi, Tappara and Ilves in the hunt for example. The team has also emphasized playing in special situations, because according to Virtanen, the people of Rauma succumbed to Tappara in the quarterfinals in this particular area.
– All teams want to play from the spur, but winning it is made up of small streams. Then you have to succeed perfectly. This year the series is extremely tough and several teams have made bigger investments. We want to be involved in that, of course, says Virtanen.