In the spring, Jussi Parkkila has had enough work with both his own and foreign goalkeepers. The NHL’s first full-time European goalkeeper coach is close to receiving an unforgettable award for his work.
DENVER. The importance of the goalkeeper game in the NHL playoffs can hardly be overemphasized. It’s undeniable that in a weak goalkeeper game, no good team sails far and vice versa – the best goalkeepers in the world often win matches with their purely personal stakes.
When it comes to the world’s best playoff scorer, Tampa Andrei Vasilevskia is impossible to ignore.
The two-time Stanley Cup winner could even be described as the best goalkeeper of all time in tough places. The Russian hand may have shaken at the beginning of a series of matches at times, but the statistics for the decisive matches in Vasilevsky are historically hard to read.
Although Tampa has huge amounts of individual skill and decision-making power, Vasilevski has had to win numerous matches for his own team over the years. The harder the stakes, the more closely this has often hit the door latch.
Of course, the players will solve this challenge in the first place on the ice, but in the background, the club’s Finnish goalkeeper coach has worked hard to break down the wall. Jussi Parkkila45. Parkkila did not leave a single stone under the series when he shoved the Russian guard into atoms.
– It was definitely the most challenging project I have done and yes I knew it was going to be difficult now. However, there is a pretty good goalkeeper in front of him. I looked at all the goals scored for Vasilevsky this season and last year as well. There were a few clips in it to pile up. Quite a lot of working hours came, Parkkila laughed at Sport in Denver after the first final.
Watching videos and gathering information is still only the first step in the job.
– The big thing is how, according to the instructions of the head coach, I get an eight-minute presentation for the players from all the information I have collected, which would benefit the team. It has quite a few hours of tape from where that final version comes from. That’s the big deal, the Parkkila with a Tampere background continues.
Vasilevsky has little to no weakness, but in the first final, Colorado was able to use the top corner of the shield, for which Vasilevski has been awarded several goals in the spring. In addition, Colorado only got the second hit of the spring behind the Tampa guard between the legs.
– There was more, but I’m really happy with what was found, seen and done, Parkkila, who has been working in Colorado for the second year, said.
And the observation is not limited to the time before the match series. The entire coaching staff, Parkkila at the forefront, keeps their eyes open even within the match series.
– Of course, everything is still considered. There is an eye for these things in this group as well. We are constantly looking to see if there is anything we could take advantage of. If even the smallest thing can be found, then good. Everything is home.
In the second final, Tampa Bay was completely under the Colorado roller coaster. Vasilevski conceded seven goals. He had never missed so many goals in a single match in his NHL career before.
“Always hopes for better”
The parking lot has had enough work with its own goalkeepers in the spring as well. First guard Darcy Kuemper has been injured twice in the playoffs, so Pavel Francouz has had to patch this up from time to time. The duo have won matches, but the stats don’t directly flatter the duo.
For example, Francouz has a rejection rate of 90.6% and Kuemper 90.1%. If you look at the GSAA statistics, which show how many goals a goalkeeper saves relative to the league average, both Colorado goalkeepers are in the red. Kuemper’s reading was down to four goals under the second game minus.
In the same breath, however, it should be noted that the duo has put together 14 wins and that is the most important thing.
– I’m quite happy, but yes, I always expect better. Sure, now only the profits mark, but always hoping for even better. Of course, there has been little challenge here with both in health matters and it is always a bit of an art. You just have to live with those things and try to win the games at the same time, Parkkila evaluates the grips of his protectors.
Parkkila’s most challenging moments in the spring were related to the top matches, where the goal-scoring races escaped control from both. For example, the opening round of the conference final against Edmonton in Colorado took a score of 8 to 6.
– Those matches are nightmares, I don’t like them. It’s nice for the audience, but in games like that, it’s pretty hard to get me in the dome, I can admit it directly.
However, Parkkila does not bite the goalkeepers.
– It depends a bit on the case and the type of feedback. Strict feedback is not suitable for everyone, especially at this point through. Yes I have to unravel that own rage elsewhere. You have to be able to read the game here so as not to give feedback in an emotional storm, Parkkila reminds.
During the match, however, Parkkila says he is going through a pretty emotional roller coaster.
– In the middle of the day everything is jees, but I can tell that on the day of the game it is really exciting again. It’s a kind of emotional storm in the game, but that’s the way it should be, because we’re fully involved here. Time goes by itself, because in a good way, Parkkila concludes with a smile.