Helsinki Jokerit lost all their matches in the legendary Rauma Pitsiturnau. However, Valtteri Jeskanen and coach Tero Määttä found positive things in their team’s performance.
Joel Sippola,
STT Sports
The return of the representative team of the Helsinki Jokers to the Finnish ice hockey rinks started slowly in terms of results. It was the last in the traditional Rauma Lace Tournament, losing all three matches.
In the opening group, Ässät was better 4–1 and Lukko 2–0. In the ranking match, TPS was better with a score of 2–0, which meant the last place in the tournament for the Jokers.
The lace tournament was sold out. The return of the Jokers also attracted a record number of media.
In both games of their group, the young and enterprising Mestis club Jokerit lost to the more experienced SM league clubs Pori Äss and Rauma Luko. In two 2×15 minute games, it managed to score one goal, for which a defender was responsible Valtteri Jeskanen. The blue line shot sunk into the Ässie net with “eyes closed and heading there” style.
– It was great to enter the first game when the loud group of fans cheered, Jokerien Jeskanen stated.
– I believe that a committed group of fans will cheer us on throughout the season.
Jeskanen characterized the games as good.
– We managed to challenge well. The results do not tell the whole truth.
The coach became sensitive
Jokerit, who played in the KHL between 2014 and 2022, will play in Mestis next season. It last played in the Ice Hockey Championship League in the 2013–2014 season.
Head coach of the Jokers Tero Määtt was positive after the Lace Tournament, even though the losses were disappointing.
– Yes, such a great reception even made me a bit sensitive, Määttä admitted.
Jokerit, who played on a young team, was able to give the opponents a good kick from time to time.
– Small things solved it. We came to play to win, as always. We want to play a certain kind of game and we were partially able to show that, Määtta saw.
Jokerit prepares for the Mestis season in practice games. This month, for example, there is a tournament hosted by TuTo in Turku.
– In addition to the training games, there is legendary everyday training ahead. We get the team grouped together, Määtta continued.
– Our high-quality work defines how we appear in the eyes of the fans and how much encouragement we get. We want to play an entertaining game.
Initial blocks
Lock–Aces (A) 0–2
Aces–Jokers (A) 4–1
Jokers–Lock (A) 0–2
Sport–SaiPa (B) 1–3
SaiPa–TPS (B) 1–1 tbsp.
TPS–Sport (B) 1–2 tbsp.
Ranking matches
places 5 and 6: Jokerit–TPS 0–2
semi-final Ässät–Sport 1–0 rl.
semifinal SaiPa–Lukko 0–2
final match Aces–Lukko 1–2
Story updated at 21:55: Added the result of the final match.