The Young Lions avoided refusals – the expert explains why Finland is Canada’s number one challenger

Juraj Slafkovsky, Simon Nemec, Shane Wright, Owen Power, Matty Beniers, Jake Sanderson, Marco Kasper…

The list could go on even longer. Back in December, these players were able to enjoy the World Youth Championship, but after a break of more than half a year, they are focusing on training and the starting NHL camps instead of the games.

Finland has not had the same problem. For example, players booked in the first round in the summer Joakim Kemell and Brad Lambert are in the team.

The head coach Antti Pennanen several players have called and asked when they have to be in Finland after the spring NHL development camps in order to have time for the camp and the games.

– That passion and desire has been strong. The NHL organizations have also been supporting our project, and we haven’t received the same messages as others. The message from many clubs to us has been that absolutely all players should come to the event, Pennanen told Urheilu at the national team’s camp.

Sports expert Top Nättinen according to the players’ and clubs’ solutions are completely understandable. Many of the young promises have already given their evidence regarding the NHL reservation. That’s why clubs prefer them to stay healthy and prepare well for the upcoming season. The players are also on the same line.

– It is clear that the impact is big when the first and second reserve from Slovakia (Slafkovsky/Nemec) or Kasper from Austria drop out. From Finland’s point of view, the countries of the middle caste have weakened slightly, but the situation in Finland has remained the same, says Nättinen.

– For Canada, it always happens that the best are not there. Even if you take away the top five from Canada, they are still able to put together a team that is the favorite to win.

Finland gets 40 points for its factories in Jukurei, for example, in this tournament Aatu Rädyn, who was sidelined in the winter due to corona infection. In addition to him, the team has plenty of individual skills Kemellin, Ville Koivunen, Roni Hirvonen and Roby Järventien through.

In the defense, on the other hand, you can find the defender who was chosen as the best in the last games Topi Niemelä as well as the duo who won silver at TPS Eemil Estonia and Ruben Rafkin.

Nättinen basically considers Finland to be Canada’s strongest challenger. According to the expert, Finland has enough skill to solve matches, but the team is also well-rounded.

– I think the Finnish team looks really good. The players who played well together at Christmas have been kept together. Due to the small turnover, I consider Finland to be a very strong team.

Finland’s goal is the responsibility of blocking Leevi Meriläinen and Juha at Jatkola. Pennanen didn’t choose the one who became the number one goalkeeper with the Kärppie goalkeeper Joel Blomqvist join the group.

– There has been speculation about the goalie game, but the training matches have certainly shown that Finland’s game will not fall down to the goalie game, says Nättinen.

Meriläinen saved 33 times in the 2–1 win against Sweden. Jatkola, on the other hand, grabbed 45 pucks when Finland defeated the United States 5–2 in the general.

Finland has been third and fourth in the two previous games. However, in the 2010s, Nuoret Leijonat won the World Cup gold three times.

According to expert Nättinen, this time too the only goal is the world championship.

– I don’t think anything less is enough. Previous generations have played the lion logo in men, women, girls and boys to the point that a medal is the absolute minimum for everyone. But especially for men and boys, gold is the only thing that will do, says Nättinen.

Nättinen does not mean that, for example, a loss in the final or a bronze medal would be a big disappointment. However, gold is a goal that is expected from Leijon every time.

– It certainly won’t put any pressure on Finland yet. We are not such strong early favorites in any tournament that it would turn against us. It’s more of a wonderful thing that is the result of many decades.

The World Cup tournament in August is unique for many players. For the age group born in 2002, the under-18 competitions were canceled earlier in the spring of 2020, so in the tournament that starts on Tuesday, the group will be able to culminate their youth national team career.

– Many people realize this uniqueness, especially now that there are more older players. I believe that the aim is also to emphasize that uniqueness, says Nättinen.

– For example, Räty, who has had a career full of changes and was left out of the games due to the quarantine, is now really getting a showcase and a role. I believe that we will see a very committed and emotional tournament from the Finnish team as well. The players understand the meaning of this.