BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA – The annual IIHF World championships have gotten off to a flying start. There have been a few shock results so far with smaller hockey countries, like Norway staging an upset against Sweden, or Germany maintaining a 100% record in its group, which was touted as one of the toughest in the competition. For team Finland the tournament has got off to a winning start as well, despite news emerging right after the roster was named that Ville Peltonen would be dropping out due to an injury sustained at the SM-Liiga finals.
The Finns started their tournament against Denmark, who in last year’s tournament upset the Finns with a 4-1 win. This year however, the Finns were better by defeating the Danes 5-1. The Finnish team isn’t as strong as the last years’ team and many have suggested that the team might struggle. Despite having talented players in the likes of Mikko Koivu, Tuomo Ruutu, Niko Kapanen, Jarkko Immonen and the youngster Mikael Granlund, the Finns will need to play a solid game to have a chance of proceeding in the competition.
In the Denmark game, Granlund was named Finland’s MVP of the game and rightly so. The young 19-year old carries himself like a proven veteran and exudes maturity of someone who has been through it all. It was particularly pleasing to the eye to watch him play against Latvia, a game in which the Finns were struggling. Granlund has an eye for the game and can create plays out of nothing and he was instrumental in setting up both Finnish goals in the game.
The Latvia game was frustrating to watch if you are a Finn or support the Finnish team/players. Finland dominated the game in light of shots, face offs, and scoring opportunities but it was the Latvians who made the most of their chances. With two powerplay goals, the Latvians were in control of the game, much thanks to the stellar play of their goalkeeper Edgars Masalaskis and the solid defensive play of the Latvians.
The game also marked a new chapter in Finnish hockey history as the Finnish goalkeeper, Teemu Lassila became the first second generation goalkeeper to play for the national team. His father, Hannu Lassila served as a backup goalie twice during his career. Lassila played an OK game and
Finland won the game 3-2, but only after a penalty shoot out. If the Finns want to win against the Czech Republic and be within a chance of winning their group, they have to find a way to put the puck in the net. Despite few moments of brilliance the Finns, were unable to find the back of the net. One might even say that the Finnish can’t finish.
Contact Janne.Virtanen@prohockeynews.com
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