Finland and Slovakia will clash in the quarter-final match of the Under-20 World Ice Hockey Championship in Ottawa.
2.1. 16:00•Updated 2.1. 17:37
Urheilu closely follows the under-20 hockey world championships in the application and on its website. The atmosphere is also broadcast on Urheilurutu and Urheiluradio.
The most delicious phase of the Under-20 Men’s Ice Hockey World Cup in Ottawa remains – the tournament’s culminating playoffs. Finland meets Slovakia on the night between Thursday and Friday Finnish time.
Tomek Valtonen knows Slovakian ice hockey well. Valtonen, who is the captain of HK Dukla Michalovce, who plays in the Slovakian Extraliga, says that the mood in the country is rising as an important match approaches.
– I have sensed that the match is expected. But yes, Slovakia is known to be the underdog here. I can see myself that Finland is the early favorite. The trend in Finland has been upward, while it has been really difficult for Slovakia since the training games, Valtonen told Urheilu.
According to Valtonen, the player path in Slovakia does not work as it should.
– The big picture in the background is player production. All the top players go abroad from here, to Finland, Sweden and North America. It is difficult for a young player to enter the Slovak league. The difference between the junior leagues and the main league is huge. The level of training in juniors is lagging behind a lot if compared to, say, Finland, Valtonen describes.
Development is going in the wrong direction
According to Valtonen, the situation has not improved in recent years.
– I’ve been here for four years and I don’t think things have gone in the right direction. There are good individuals, but they invariably go abroad very early. There are fewer and fewer young players. Of course there is a crowd here, because ice hockey is Slovakia’s national sport and evokes emotions, Valtonen says.
The problems are deep and structural. It is difficult to change the direction of the train.
– Everyone is staring at their own navel, only the result means even in junior hockey and it is not understood that the development of the players and the result go hand in hand. This is the thinking of the old union and is not only Slovakia’s problem, Valtonen points out.
“Patience is the number one thing for Finland”
Sports expert Top Nättinen believes that Slovakia is a good match for Finland’s quarter-final opponent. They also met in the quarterfinals a year ago, and Finland defeated Slovakia 4–3 in overtime.
– Slovakia is mentally and game-wise a bit more familiar than the North American teams. Slovakia has played this tournament erratically, but this match is of course a great opportunity for them, says Nättinen.
In advance, Finland is better than Slovakia in all measures.
– Overall, Finland is ahead of Slovakia in all areas. I expect Slovakia to start defending and certainly understand what their chances are.
Nättinen emphasizes that Finland should not be alarmed if Slovakia does not immediately fall from the Young Lions.
– Finland must be sufficiently active, but at the same time patience is the number one priority. You shouldn’t get too upset if there are no goals right away or Slovakia takes the lead. I believe that it will be a really tight and precise match. But Finland will definitely win if the team can just be patient, Nättinen believes.
Even better is expected from Finland’s top players
The cornerstones of Finland’s game have been the brilliant goalkeeper Petteri Rimpinen and the team’s effective understrength play. The top attackers of the Young Lions have not been sparkling. At least not yet.
– Finland needs to take the next step in its attacking play. Not necessarily in this match against Slovakia, but if Finland makes it to the next round, then especially in the final weekend. The base of the house is strong, because defensive and underpowered play and goalkeeper Rimpinen are things you can trust, Nättinen reflects.
The top players are capable of even better performances than what was seen in the initial series.
– Fortunately Benjamin Rautiainen succeeded in the last match and Kasper Halttunen finally scored a goal. Konsta Helenius has been playing “below the surface” the whole time and might be released if he gets a good super night and a few power points, Nättinen thinks.
Kiekko-Espoo’s goalkeeper Rimpinen has, however, been the absolute number one player of the Young Lions.
– Rimpinen has deservedly hit the headlines and given Finland a chance to win. Finland has not had to be successful in the attacking direction all the time. I trust Rimpien one hundred percent, Nättinen underlines.