FINLAND , – Another round of fixtures are now in the SM-Liiga history books. If last week offered objects thrown on the ice, this week’s fixtures got coaches’ blood pressures boiling, both from team performance and in post game press conferences. Last week Pro Hockey News reported the fight between Karpat forward Kamil Kreps and Ilves forward Masi Marjamaki. Following the fight, the league ran an investigation as per the league rules because pre-arranged fights are not allowed. Marjamaki hinted to STT news after the game that Kreps had approached him prior to the game asking if it was possible to have payback for the hit, prompting investigation from the league. The league has decided not to penalise either of the players. A statement from the league read: “As per the disciplinary rules, we have spoken to both players and teams and both have denied pre-arranging the fight. Our investigation found that there were no third parties involved in the fight or the events leading to it. Based on the investigation the league’s decision is not to take the matter to the disciplinary board.” Signing news:
Kalpa, from Kuopio, has bolstered its roster by adding 25-year old Slovakian centre Peter Olvecky. Olvecky has spent the last five years in North America, playing mainly in the AHL, but has had a few stints in the NHL as well. Last season in the AHL, Olvecky scored 12 goals and added 26 assists in 70 games. This season Olvecky has played in his native Slovakia for Dukla Trencin. Olvecky was expected to play in last night’s fixture against JYP, but was unable to take part due to his connecting flight to Finland was delayed in Wienna. Olvecky, did arrive in time to be picked up from Helsinki airport to be taken to watch the game. Kalpa lost 3-2. Both Kalpa and JYP will be playing a match soon, with former JYP star goalie Sinuhe Wallinheimo stepping into referee duties. The match will be played by Kalpa and JYP players’ wives and girlfriends and is said to be the first of its kind in Finland. The two teams have pencilled a date for a second match for 2012. Heated exchange:
HPK and Blues coaches had a heated exchange of words after the match between the two teams. Events began to unfold after HPK’s Joni Haverinen was injured from a high stick that hit him in the eye. The referees did not see the initial altercation, but called a penalty for Blues’ Petri Lammassaari after one of the linesmen reported the incident during stoppage in play. Blues head coach Petri Matikainen said in the press conference, “The referee wanted to change the game. The penalty on Petri was a no-call.” Matikainen’s comments got under HPK’s Harri Rindell’s skin. Here is an excerpt from the exchange that followed:
HR: “What do you think Lammassaari got the penalty for?” PM: “It was a ‘crypenalty’. Haverinen got one of your players’ sticks in his eye.” HR: “I think you might have problems with your X-ray vision. It was clearly your players’ stick that came under Haverinen’s visor and hit him in the eye.” Matikainen concluded the debate by saying “I guess we see these things differently.” There is no word on the severity of Haverinen’s injury or a prognosis of how long he is going to be out of action. HPK lost the match 4-2, prompting the teams captain Marko Tuulola to say that “Most of the guys didn’t turn up to work today. I don’t know where their heads were at, but it was clear they weren’t in the game.” Rindell commented that the team needs to go through “a period of deep reflection.” HIFK in losing streak
One of the hotly tipped championship contenders, HIFK, is currently in a six game losing skid. The latest loss came in a hotly tipped contest in the battle for Helsinki as HIFK faced off against Jokerit. After leading the game 2-0, HIFK lost the game in overtime. “I am pleased with our first two periods. The team was charged, and most of all energetic, active and aggressive,” said HIFK head coach, Kari Jalonen. “Perhaps it was the Jokerit flash goal at the start of the third that got our heads out of the game. Our third period was poor and we weren’t on the level that we were for the first two periods.” HIFK was not helped by the return of their star goalie Juuso Riksman, who turned away 22 shots in his return. Antti Kerala was the big hero for Jokerit after scoring two goals in the 2-3 win. “Kerala has been a positive surprise for this season,” said Jokerit coach, Erkka Westerlund. “Prior to coming to Jokerit, I hardly knew Kerala at all, but he is coming forward in leaps and bounds every time he is on the ice.” Heading for the draft
Finnish rookie sensation Joel Armia was ranked as the second European based skater in the NHL’s mid-season draft rankings. Armia, 17, who has had a stellar rookie season, is hotly tipped to go in the first round of the draft. Despite a poor showing in the Under 20s World Championships, scouts have been impressed by Armia’s size, scoring prowess, skating and shot. Armia finished the U 20s World Championships with only one assist to his name. Scores from last night were:
Blues – HPK 4-2
HIFK – Jokerit 2-3 (OT)
JYP – Kalpa 3-2
Karpat – Assat 2-3
Saipa – Lukko 2-1
Tappara – Pelicans 2-1
TPS – Ilves 2-4 The league table:
1. JYP 38 88
2. Ässät 39 79
3. HIFK 38 72
4. Jokerit 38 64
5. HPK 39 64
6. Lukko 39 63
7. Blues 38 58
8. KalPa 39 55
9. Tappara 39 53
10. Kärpät 38 50
11. Ilves 38 49
12. Pelicans 38 40
13. SaiPa 39 37
14. TPS 38 35
Contact the author at: janne.virtanen@prohockeynews.com
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