“The habit of sitting in a crowd a little longer”

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Ismo Lehkonen has seen the first two matches of the Finnish hockey national team on Monday in the USA, in which the Americans defeated Latvia 4–1 and in overtime Austria 3–2.

– In Friday’s opening match, Latvia was a pretty lifeless and legless opponent. I think it controlled a little too much US gaming and thus also the outcome of the match. On Saturday, the Yankees had a break. I have a wild guess or feeling in the body when I watched Sunday’s Austria game that they have had a dinner or “dinner” on Saturday. And it’s been a bit long.

Lehkonen says he has seen many US players in the NHL. Even on that basis, there was more to the group’s calves on Sunday than “buttermilk.”

– The tournament is a long wrinkle and this team is only together for the first time. Usually these (North Americans) tend to leave in a crowd – I’m not saying party now, but sit a little longer. Sunday’s game looked just like that to me.

It was not unclear to anyone that the Yankees were by no means in the best possible way against Austria yesterday.

– The USA received a storm warning for Sunday’s match, and Finland will certainly get a hungry team.

“Ika” Lehkonen emphasizes that the USA still has a lot to play in the World Cup tournament.

– Their opening game is in its infancy. For example, when playing under pressure and playing against the Finnish trap, I don’t think they have any different variations in their back pockets at this point.

According to the puck expert, based on the two opening games, the United States should still not be underestimated.

– There is a lot to do in their bitter game as well. However, the very skating crew is on their feet and they have many players who can operate at a fast pace as well as challenge and pass. In that sense, Finland can play a good game to win the USA through fighting gaming.

Lehkonen considers the US coaching team to be quite experienced. Head coach with a university background David Quinn served as the NHL Rangers in charge from the summer of 2018 until May 2021. The assistant coaches Jeff Blashill, Don Granato and Mike Hastings.

– I’m a little surprised that even though they have experienced coaches, somehow the playing seems vague. On the other hand, players may not yet be properly focused on these first two games. It feels pretty much like coaching has started first from raising team spirit, not so much about ordinary things.

The US got in yesterday like a “dog from the gate” and the bar touched, for Austria Peter Schneider fired a game tool into the Yankees goal frame in overtime and the underdog also lost his superiority.

– If the USA gets its game in order as the tournament progresses, they will be able to challenge Finland at the skill level. The lions will have a good challenge on Monday.

Among the Americans, Lehkonen raises a few credit warriors. There are three names in the defense, including the captain Seth Jones and a spare skipper Nate Schmidt contract the big minutes. In addition, the Hughes brother series is perhaps the most promising, only 18 years old Luke Hughes already flashed the struggle for Austria with an extra time hit.

– Montreal Round 1 Booking Alex Galchenyuk rotates first superiority. He has had some tough NHL seasons and last season he played in Arizona at 6 + 15. This guy has big show cravings to get a new start in the NHL at the age of 28.

Lehkonen is pleased that the Finns will face a different type of opponent than Latvia. At least for the public, the US show should be a more entertaining puck show than before.

– Not many countries have played in practice matches in the same way as Latvia, which played with the so-called scorched country tactic, 1-3-1, where one Latvian player acts as a liberal, three others as a midfielder and one as a “puck controller”.

– Playing in Latvia was a pain for Finland, because it has not been received much and has not been practiced. According to my calculations, we only got through it (sump) seven times, and this became three or four situations because Joel Armia challenged from the edge well.

– Finland learned a good lesson if, for example, in an playoff game, an opponent playing in this way is encountered. Jukka Jalosen the coaching team will now be able to instruct you on how to get through that from the middle area.

The United States is an ideal opponent for the crowded Tampere Arena, according to Lehkonen, when the Lions get better into the game through emotion due to the opponent’s game tactics.

– It’s fun for spectators to come across a US-style vertical team that is actively hairing a puck player and wants to play a fast game. This will also speed up Finland’s game a lot and the Finns will be able to attack through co-hockey. There will be more frontal attacks and there will be no need to recycle the puck with a delay.

Lehkonen praises Tampere’s home audience.

– Now that there have been matches in the World Cup on the spot, it can be said that the spectators have been very well involved in the game. In a way, it gives wings to Finnish players. The extra energy is just a big help.

– I dare to promise that the Lions are a little tired of the tangled offensive game and will win the USA on Monday 4–1, Lehkonen said.