FINLAND: SM-Liiga saw a lot of action in the past week and some of the action resulted in heated debates around the water cooler. Main topics of conversation centred around two topics; hits to the head and raining money.
The hits to the head were seen in the match between Espoon Blues and Lahden Pelicans. What made the situation intriguing was that both happened in the first period and both were initiated by a Blues player. First up it was Jari Sailio, who hit Pelicans forward Dwight Helminen from a blind corner.
According to the Pelicans website, Helminen was unable to take part in the teams morning skate the day after due to headaches and nausea, but doctors say he did not suffer from a concussion, but whiplash.
The second hit was delivered by Jere Karalahti on Teemu Rinkinen. Karalahti’s hit happened while Rinkinen had his head down on the play. When compared Sailio had his hands up to deliver the hit and Karalahti was aiming for a clean check, but due to Rinkinen’s position on the ice, Karalahti’s shoulder connected with Rinkinen’s head. Karalahti was ejected from the game for a charging major.
As a result Jari Sailio has been suspended for two games and Karalahti will sit out for one after his 10-minute misconduct account ticked over the allowed limit. Pelicans went on to win the match.
In the last round up Pro Hockey News reported on the hit on Karpat forward Kamil Kreps. Ilves and Karpat met for the first time since the incident and Kreps got his honour back by fighting Masi Marjamaki, the player who nearly finished Kreps’ career. Kreps got his revenge by winning the fight, before in true SM-Liiga fashion the referees stepped in before the fight was over. Both players were ejected from the game. Marjamaki told STT News afterwards: “Kamil asked if it was possible to have his honour back and I said of course. I would have been a total chicken if I would have backed away and left it as it was”. Seems like the codes of the game are followed, regardless of league. Karpat lost the match 4-1.
Karpat also learnt news that Czech super star Pavel Rosa will be leaving the team at the end of the season. Rosa’s new address is in Fribourg, where he played at the start of the season. Rosa’s contract with the Swiss team is for two years.
By far the most bizarre incident was seen between league leaders JYP and Helsingin Jokerit. Jokerit have experienced a bit of an uplift since the change in coaching staff, though JYP won the game 2-1. The fixture got additional interest after Jokerit supporters started throwing money on the ice. This isn’t the first time Jokerit fans have gotten a bad reputation. Previous incidents include breaking and throwing seats on the ice and using emergency flares in the stands. The referees announced that they would end the game if more objects were thrown on the ice. JYP protested the actions by Jokerit fans by leaving the ice before the Three Stars presentation.
“Utterly ridiculous” said JYP’s Jani Tuppurainen in an interview with URHO TV. “I would have thought that the fans would have been really up for a clash of two high calibre teams. I live centrally, so I don’t need money for parking, but thanks anyways”.
The total sum that was thrown at JYP came to €3.45. “I don’t understand why they were throwing money and other objects on to the ice. Both teams were playing really well” said JYP head coach Risto Dufva. “I’ve not seen anything like this in a long while. Coins can be sharp and cause serious danger to players. Our General Manager told us to bring the money back to Jyvaskyla. Apparently the cash register at the office is empty”.
SM-Liiga has not seen an incident where objects would have been thrown on the ice since HIFK fans protested their own players lacklustre performances under head coach Mike Eaves. Then it was not money, but frozen chicken breast filets. Detroit has the octopus, Toronto pancakes, SM-Liiga has coins and chicken apparently.
Contact: janne.virtanen@prohockeynews.com
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