The Lions returned to the practice ice today after a rest day. In their last preliminary group game of the World Cup, Finland will face Denmark on Tuesday at 20:20.
The biggest peculiarity of the exercises, at least in the eyes of outsiders, was that the number one center Sakari Manninen had been subjected to frostbite. A soda mug was taped to his helmet.
It took Mannin until halfway through training until he noticed an extra part in his helmet. Teemu Hartikainen described the ice as “great”, but refused to reveal who was behind the idea.
In addition to Mannen, the defender drew attention Mikael Seppäläwho rolled to practice with rollers tuned to the shields of his skates.
Jukka Jalonen comments on the exploits of his protégés with a smile after training.
– Roller skates are, of course, their own thing. Seppälä played in this hall last season. He thinks it’s easier to move, it’s a little easier to get downstairs, Jalonen began.
– Then, of course, someone has done a little trick to Manni in that elevator. However, he noticed at some point during the training that everything is not going well, Jalonen continued with a broad grin.
Jalonen told Urheilu that it’s just great when the boys manage to make fun of each other.
– It belongs to a good team spirit, brings more relaxation and humor. Humor is needed, however, this is a long event. This is already the seventh week for some (camping and competitions). If you didn’t have a sense of humor, nobody would be able to handle it.
Leijonat trained with the formations that Jalonen put together for the third set of Friday’s match against Hungary and with which Leijonat played most of the match against Austria.
Goalkeepers: Emil Larmi, Jussi Olkinuora, Christian Heljanko
1:
Teemu Hartikainen – Sakari Manninen – Mikko Rantanen
Mikko Lehtonen – Atte Ohtamaa
2:
Kaapo Kakko – Antti Suomela – Kasperi Kapanen
Olli Määttä – Miika Koivisto
3:
Harri Pesonen – Juho Lammikko – Joel Armia
Mikael Seppälä – Ville Pokka
4:
Ahti Oksanen – Hannes Björninen – Marko Anttila
Niklas Friman – Nikolas Matinpalo
Additional strikers: Jere Sallinen, Waltteri Merelä
Jalonen has commented on his team’s performances patiently, even though criticism has rained down on practically every other game except the match against Sweden.
– The whole time we have improved our teamwork and got on the same page. There is still work to be done. Especially the second installments have been difficult. However, things have calmed down all the time, also on an individual level. No one has to do everything on the ice. Everyone does their own thing and trusts that others do theirs. That’s how the result usually comes about, Jalonen was talking now.
Jalonen commented on the chain composition that Manninen’s first chain has played well throughout the competition, and Antti Suomelan the field played brilliantly in the last match. Also Juho Lammikon the chain of three received praise from Jalose for getting to the finish line, but they have been plagued by inefficiency. The four chain has been doing its familiar, steady job.
Kapanen and Rantanen are strict: “Manninen can figure it out himself”
NHL reinforcement of attack Kasperi Kapanen did not admit that he had been taping mugs to Manninen’s helmet. And didn’t admit to knowing who did it.
– Yaa-a. Bad question. I do not know. We will try to find out who has done the outrageous trick and hold interviews.
It seems that Leijon has a great spirit again.
– Certainly always has been. Note that these guys have been together for a long time. The point is to have a good spirit. Then doing it is relaxed, and it shows on the ice.
NHL star from Colorado Mikko Rantanenka did not admit anything.
– I did not put. I know who put it, but I can’t reveal.
Why not?
– Mannin now has the rest of the day to figure it out himself. I don’t know if I’ve figured it out yet.
Mikael Seppälä also managed to surprise Rantanen.
– A bit special. I looked at roller skates. I hadn’t seen anything like it. They seemed to roll well. I walked next to it myself, it was a bit of a shame.
For MTV Urheilu (you will switch to another service) Manninen named the jeku as the culprit Mikko Lehtonen.
– Nice ice, I’ll be on fire, Manninen said.
Lehtonen admitted his guilt to MTV, but only partially. He said that he was by no means alone as a joker, but that the captain also played a part Marko Anttila.
The story was updated throughout at 18:04 and video clips from the interviews were added.