Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is having a great season, has pumped life into the playoff dreams of the Buffalo Sabres.
In the ice hockey NHL, the Buffalo Sabers have signed up to seriously fight for a playoff spot. Playing in the Eastern Conference, Buffalo has won eight of its previous 12 games.
In this struggle, one of the most important links is the Finnish goalkeeper who is having a great season Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The 25-year-old Finn saved his fifth shutout of the season as the Sabers defeated the New York Islanders 4–0.
So far this year, Luukkonen has saved the most shutouts in the entire series, four. He is the fourth youngest goaltender in Sabres’ club history to keep at least five clean sheets during the season.
Luukkonen has saved 22 wins in 39 games.
– Striker Dylan Cozens thanked profusely for the contribution of the team’s top scorer.
– He has been incredible. You get a lot of confidence when he is in our goal. We know he makes big saves. He has been arguably the best goalkeeper in this league for quite some time now. We are proud of him.
The release surprised fans
The NHL took into account Luukkonen’s top account in its update on the social media service X. It used the Finnish nickname Ukkie-Pookie.
– Ukkie-Pookie looked absolutely amazing tonight!
The publication’s comment field was filled with negative reactions from fans. Many were not enthusiastic about that nickname.
– We do not accept this nickname.
– Don’t call him that name.
– This is the worst nickname I’ve ever heard.
– You have time to remove this.
According to the internet, Pookie is a kind of affectionate name. It can be used, for example, from a pet.
– Who invented this? Mom of toddlers, someone asked in the comments section.
The name in question has been used for Luukkos earlier this season. It is known that the name originates from the Buffalo players.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s name has caused consternation in North America. Among other things, it has been difficult for teammates to pronounce the name.
Time since the last playoff spot
The Sabers are currently three points out of the final playoff spot in the East. However, the Islanders, who hold the wild card spot, have played two fewer games than Buffalo, who still have 15 regular season games to play.
Within the team, there is firm belief in a place in the playoffs. Last year, the Sabers were close to making the playoffs.
It has been 13 years since the club’s last playoff spot.
– I know that many have counted us out of that race. But the players in our booth don’t. We remember what we did last year. We found ways to get close.
– I think that last year we let outsiders make us think that we can’t do it. Now we have learned to push those thoughts away, Cozenz commented.
Point for awesomeness
Tampa Bay Lightning Brayden Point excelled as a power spinner of the round by shaking up powers 3+3. Tampa, which is fighting for a place in the playoffs, took a tasty victory by beating the New York Rangers, one of the favorites of the Eastern Conference, 6–3.
In the round of 12 matches, the only Finnish goal was scored by the New Jersey Devils Erik Haula In a 6–2 win against the Dallas Stars. The San Jose Sharks power forward who is having a great season Mikael Granlund had two assists in the Sharks’ 3–6 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Granlund has scored 42 points in 52 games this season. He completed 800 regular season games a little while ago.