The team bearing the name Kiekko-Espoo returned to Espoo in the ice hockey league for the first time since 1998.
Timo Uusitalo,
Jussi Saarinen
The ice hockey tour at Areena follows Friday’s matches.
Kiekko-Espoo returned to the hockey SM league on Tuesday at Nordis, where they lost to Helsinki IFK with 2–5 goals.
On Friday, Kiekko-Espoo made its long-awaited debut in a back-to-back match in Espoo’s packed home stadium, where it lost to Helsinki IFK in a close fight, now with 2-3 goals.
Although the club is basically the same as the Blues who appeared in the League eight years ago, the previous league home match was played under the name Kiekko-Espoo in the spring of 1998 in Espoo.
The historic Kiekko-Espoo anniversary was also honored by the mayor Jukka Mäkeläwho dropped the starting puck into the center circle.
– This is a big and great event for the entire Espoo community, ‘s ice hockey tour expert rejoices Jesse Saarinen.
Kiekko-Espoo’s 35-year-old vice-captain, two-time World Cup silver medalist Tomi Sallinen summarized the moods briefly.
– Well, this is a super, super sweet day all in all. After all, this has already been expected, the enthusiastic center forward chatted.
Jukka Rauhala wishes for success in the future
The club’s loyal fans could once again watch their favorites in the Liiga in Espoo. One of the fans turned out to be an Olympic bronze medalist 40 years ago Jukka as Rauhala.
– Expectations and goals must always be high in sports – in any sport. I’m looking forward to this season. Of course, the first season is always studying and running in.
Jukka Rauhala, 65, believes that Kiekko-Espoo will do well in the League in the future, even though the current season may go without playoffs.
– To be honest, this year may be too early (for success). The team has skilled coaches. After a few years of hard work, it might happen that there is a championship team, a great wrestling legend and a master’s degree in engineering.
After his sports career, Jukka Rauhala has worked actively in sports organizations. He has been, among other things, a member of the board of the Olympic Committee, chairman of the board of the Competition and Elite Sports Research Center, the Kuortanee Sports College Foundation and the Wrestling Federation.
Son of an ex-wrestler Jaakko Rauhala was also in awe of the atmosphere on Friday evening.
– It’s really great that you have made it back to the League and that the hall is sold out in the first match. Nothing but hard driving, encourages Jukka.
– When everything falls into place with this team, we can go that far. I believe in a player position, says junior Rauhala.