38-year-old Antti Pihlström decided the opening match of the SM league season in Rauma. According to Pihlström, HPK does not care about preliminary estimates.
In the opening round of the Ice Hockey Championship League, a little surprise was immediately seen when Hämeenlinna Pallokerho, who was considered the bottom of the series, claimed a 2-1 victory over Rauma’s Luko.
Conkar, a 38-year-old who was chilling on the edge of the quadruple chain, became the decider Antti Pihlström. At the beginning of the final set, Pihlström slipped in front of the goal and finished the puck into the net of a 20-year-old who is almost half his age Juho Järvelän input.
Grabbed his first victory as a SM league coach Maso Lehtonen spoke immediately after the match about Pihlström’s effectiveness.
– I am really satisfied with the defense of my area. We sacrificed and took good blocks. Then Antti Pihlström is on pace for 60 goals, Lehtonen elaborated in an interview with C More.
Head coach Maso Lehtonen said that you are on pace for 60 goals. How does that sound, Antti Pihlström?
– Well, this was the first game. We just try to work hard and if we score goals, that’s a good thing, Pihlström acknowledged to Urheilu.
According to Pihström, the victory was very important for the team.
– Now we had a good start to this season.
– A really tenacious performance from us. We started the game really well and continued to press on and defended well. That’s the biggest ones, Pihlström continued.
In his career, Pihlström is known above all for his quick feet. At least age doesn’t weigh on skates yet.
– At least the first game felt good and I was still very involved. There’s nothing wrong with this yet.
HPK has been evaluated before the start of the season at the tail end of the series. According to Konkar, HPK has not cared about the media’s evaluations, but has entered the season without prejudice.
– We try to do our own work and win games. We don’t care about the media, and we don’t care about anything else. This is our thing and we will try to manage it, Pihström acknowledged.
The opening goal by the Swedish brothers
The opening goal of the SM league season was scored by the Swedish brothers in the opening set. Ponthus Westerholm at the end of his transport, finished the puck wonderfully into the top corner. The input point was marked For Pathrik Westerholm.
However, HPK got even in the second set By Danick Martel with a man-of-the-match goal. Martel surprisingly ducked his shot by Daniel Lebedeff through to the finish line.
The SM league continues on Wednesday with a round of six matches. Puhe follows the events of the round from 17:45.