The Ice Hockey World Cup will be played in the Czech Republic from 10 to 26. May. follows the events in the app, on the website, on Sports Screen and on Sports Radio.
Leijonat beat Denmark 3–1 in their sixth preliminary round match, so the next place is still in Finland’s own hands against Switzerland. Even one point would ensure a place in the next round, even if Austria beat Great Britain on Tuesday.
Sports expert Ismo Lehkonen highlights three takeaways from the Lions’ situation.
1. The pressures are visible
The Lions’ game against Denmark was very painful in the first two sets. Lehkonen describes that the puck playing lacked solidity, directness and relaxation.
Instead, the game was full of stress and coercion. Lehkonen reminds that there are ten first-timers in the team.
– Compared to EHT games, this is a couple of steps harder to play. Those matches prepare us well, but this (demand level) has become a bit difficult for our first-timers, says Lehkonen.
Lehkonen also reminds us of the pressures created by the people, social media and the media. Finland should succeed, but at the same time the game should also look good.
– Now I saw that the stress level is really high. The pressures of the people are felt all the way to the spinal cord.
In similar stressful situations in previous years, the savior of the Lions has been Mörkö of the entire nation, Marko Anttila. The expert says that he received a message about it from an acquaintance.
– He wondered if that team misses Mörkö. I understand that quite well. He was a guy who always put that paint on something.
According to the expert Hannes Björninen after the opening goal, Finland played really good hockey.
– In Finland, all the elements were able to escape very properly. Hopefully that frees up a lot of our group. The potential is different than what has been seen so far.
2. Does the familiar recipe for success fit this defense?
The head coach Jukka Jalonen teams have seen the so-called four full chain game for many years. This has meant that the defense has also been played with eight defenders instead of six or seven defenders.
Lehkonen reflects that this method is not necessarily ideal for current defenders. Right after the second period, he wrote in his notes that defense pairs expose themselves to mistakes when playing on the puck.
– Pakki couples seem to lack the gentleness of couple activity completely. They don’t know where the other is gaining weight.
– This has been questioned before, and then it worked just fine. Now it feels like this eight can’t catch the rhythm.
Club teams often play with six or seven defenders. Finnish defenders are therefore used to playing in a different system than in the national team.
Lehkonen noted that a lot of the Lions’ game went away as soon as the chains started to cancel. The game looked much better when Finland defended forward, so to speak.
– Until the 13th minute of the third period, Finland let the fire burn in the right mood. Hard tempo skating, pressure and determined attacking, even for those without pucks. Gaming looked really good back then.
– As soon as Finland retreated and drained, the game went downhill.
3. Granlund is the best on the field against Switzerland
Finland will face Switzerland in the final match of the group. In order to secure a place in the quarterfinals, Finland must get at least one point from a team full of NHL stars.
Switzerland has by Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, by Philipp Kurashev, By Nino Niederreitter and Roman Josin like top NHL players. The team also gets a so-called rest advantage, as it did not play on Monday.
– I don’t think that this game took a terrible toll on Finland’s batteries. I could see that this is a pretty good move after the 3-1 win against Switzerland.
The expert is also confident that Finland will get its offensive chain in good flight for the final match of the group. from Mikael Granlund he is especially looking forward to it.
– I trust that Granlund, cooked in hard soups, will be the best player on the field against Switzerland.
The defense of Switzerland’s direct attacks and attacking plays in the attacking zone will come into the big picture. By figuring them out well, Finland has the opportunity for faster departures.
– Now you really have to be fast. Up against one of the best teams in the tournament. In someone’s papers, even one of the master’s candidates.
Finland will face Switzerland on Tuesday in a match starting at 21:20.