Susanna Tapani returns to Naisleijon, the head coach opens up about the star player’s solution: “The agreement was that when the games continue and he is motivated…” | Sport

The women’s EHT season culminates in the final tournament in the Czech Republic in February. The tournament is the last before the World Championships starting in April.

Star striker Susanna Tapani returns to the composition of the women’s national ice hockey team after a long time.

Tapani was part of the team named on Monday, which will travel to Liberec in the Czech Republic on the 7th-11th. for the women’s EHT final tournament to be played in February.

– It’s great that he’s coming along. We have always had an open interaction. He had his own choices over the past year and a half. The agreement was that when the games continue and he is motivated for the national team (the return is timely). These are coming true now, head coach Juuso Toivola comment.

The last time Tapani was with Finland was in the 2022 World Championships, which were played in August-September. Tapani made headlines after going to a friend’s wedding in the middle of the Games. It was not the only uproar of the tournament, as Finland’s tournament ended in a shock defeat after the team lost to Japan in the placement match, which dropped Finland to the B-level group.

Tapani took a break from hockey all last season to focus on his other sport, ringette. Despite that, Tapani was the first Finn to be selected for the new North American hockey league PWHL.

The Finnish striker has started his season well. Minnesota leads the series in a tie with Montreal. After eight matches, Tapani is sixteenth in the points market with 2+3=5.

– Really fast-paced, good games. I have been following the new series with great interest. Time will tell, probably player traffic from Finland will be bigger there as well, Toivola sees.

The PWHL also has a national team break on the second weekend of February. The USA and Canada then play against each other.

Tapani is so far the only Finnish player who plays in the PWHL. Also a champion defender Minttu Tuominen was reserved for the series, but Tuominen chose the Chinese Shenzhen Kunlu Red Star. The team recently celebrated the league championship.

“A big part of the World Cup team”

Among other challenges, Vice-Captain Petra Nieminen and the captain Jenni Hiirikoski are returning to the national team after being sidelined for the EHT games in December. Michelle Karvinen returned to the team’s strength already in the previous EHT tournament played in December.

According to Toivola, many of the team will also be seen at the World Cup tournament in the United States in April.

– I’m not going to speculate now (how close the named group is to the World Cup team), but surely a big part of this is in the team, Toivola admits.

The sick team has also gained strength from HIFK Julia Liikalanwhich is the third highest point exchange in the Women’s League, 21+32=53.

– Of course, his experience strengthens what we do. According to Toiv, the recovery has gone well and at least with this information, he is in a really good position, Toivola sees.

The women’s lions’ Christmas EHT tournament resulted in losses to Sweden and Switzerland. Finland managed to defeat Germany and the Czech Republic, but on the other hand, in November, the Czech Republic defeated Finland 4–2.

– For the previous tournament, we have to improve our game so that we exploit more and more efficiently when we enter our own area, that we are able as a five to better build our attacking game, which has been our strength. We consider it our strength, but we increase the efficiency in scoring, Toivola begins.

The USA and Canada are the powerhouses of women’s ice hockey, but in the autumn EHT tournament, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland have also managed to challenge Finland. Toivola is not worried about the development of the Women’s Lions.

– It is part of coaching and sports that every team and country works. It is true that the Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland have had really good recent events and an upward trend. We will continue our own playing, there are good foundations and building blocks to build on. We are still polishing the patterns on and off the ice.