There is a huge interest here in Finland for these 'kids' championships...
Lots of hopes for Team Finland, but based on the game against Russia two days ago, it doesn't look too good. We have very strong offense, but the defense is a rather mediocre, if not even poor, and unfortunately our most important part traditionally, goalies, are even worse. So it is, once again, very much up to the tactics and team-play if these weaknesses are to be compensated.
But the positive aspect is the offense, so I say some words about it. There is a new league of different kind of forwards breaking through now here: big, strong, damn skilfful players, exactly the qualities needed to make it big in NHL (ask the Swedes), and not any longer those fast, small, energetic players made for lines three and four in NHL. The capitan Mikko Rantanen - who already played some games in NHL for Colorado, but has scored some 27 points in 22 games in AHL - is leading the new generation. He has started the games rather poorly (just one goal), but his contribution is very much needed if Finland is going to somewhere in this tournament. Then there are two 17 years old guys, Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujärvi, who are ranked even among top three in upcoming NHL draft next year. Especially Laine is considered the most promising Finnish goal-maker since Teemu Selänne. These kids, with Sebastion Aho in the same line, have started the tournament incredibly well, for example, Aho and Puljujärvi has scored six points in two games, Laine four... So, those who follow NHL keep those names in mind... you are going to hear a lot about them in future.
- Doxa
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015-12-30 12:58 by Doxa.