Ice hockey | Direct speech from Raimo Summas about HIFK – “Raises a big question”

Helsinki IFK took its toughest scalp of the fall when it knocked out league leader Ilves on Saturday. HIFK’s 4–0 home win also lifted the Stadioners to the top spot in the league.

Expert Raimo Summanen followed the sold-out battle for the top spot in the galleries of the Nordenskiöldinkatu ice rink.

“In the second half, HIFK played a peak period of 8-9 minutes, the likes of which I have not seen HIFK play in ten years. In the second set, HIFK chased Ilves to the sides, didn’t let Ilves build the game and thus gained control of the game”, Summanen is amazed.

“HIFK caught from deep in the attack area, caught Ilves’ guys and turned them into scoring positions. The tempo didn’t last 60 minutes, but the second period of the Ilves game and the winning game against Tappara in the Nokia Arena has shown what HIFK can be at its best.”

In Summanen’s papers, HIFK’s strong first season is based on three traditional pillars: a hot first team, an effective possession game and an improved goalkeeping game.

Konkari keeper Niko Hovinen the acquisition was a significant game move from HIFK. First keeper Roope Taponen was injured on Sept. 28 against the Pelicans, leaving a gaping hole between the posts.

Hovinen, 36, who returned from early retirement, has closed the hatches in the three matches he has played. The save percentage is a whopping 98.6 and the average number of goals conceded is 0.33.

“An incredible entrance. I sense that the players trust and want to play for Hovise. There is a kind of symbiosis, which is a tough thing,” says Summanen.

“Before Hovinen came in, there were some signs of breaking up in HIFK. They lost at home and Taponen was injured. In this sense, from Hovis one of the all-time entries.”

Niko Hovinen is back in full force in HIFK’s goal. Picture: Emmi Korhonen / Magazine photo

Golden helmet Jori Lehterän Summanen has followed the play of HIFK’s hot first team led by him with great interest. The trio of Lehterä has been HIFK in everything, both on a level playing field and with superiority.

“Let’s start playing with numbers: Lehterä 189 cm and 96 kilos, Kristian Vesalainen 192 and 94 and Iiro Pakarinen 185 and 90. Everyone in the first chain are big guys. You can search for such a chain of stars in the history of the SM league. Ketju plays a heavy and skillful trick,” says Summanen.

The load of the first chain is heavy. In the last six matches, Lehterä has played an average of more than 21 minutes, Pakarinen more than 22 minutes and Vesalainen 18 minutes.

“You can play even longer minutes in Saturday’s games, when the set break is 20 minutes. It would be worse if you play 16-17 minutes and the game is intermittent. Then the older player can’t even get going properly”, Summanen sees.

Jori Lehterä leads the points market with 3+20. Picture: Emmi Korhonen / Magazine photo

In particular, Summanen will closely monitor the play of center forward Lehterä in the future.

“Lehtärä takes a lot of initiatives and in special situations the responsibility is great. Sometimes he has had to be on the field for a long time after starting losses, when the puck has not been unloaded in time. In a few games it has eaten the legs. The harder the games, the more it starts to show at some point.”

Although HIFK is currently at the top of the league, Summanen sees flaws in the Reds’ play.

“Ville Peltonen with his coaching team, he has scored points well, although last year HIFK played better and controlled more of the 5-5 game. HIFK’s game is by no means ready.”

“It was last seen against Jukurei and SaiPa and in many other games as well. Sometimes HIFK is taken in quite a way. It starts when you make bad decisions and the puck is passed to the opponent. Then the wheel starts to turn, and fast-moving gangs are able to wreak havoc in these episodes,” Summanen analysed.

In puck control percentages, HIFK is an average team. It controls an average of 49% of the puck per game.

“In advanced statistics, many of HIFK’s defenders are minus players. That could be one of the reasons why the game runs in its own long periods. And this has been repeated in the autumn in HIFK’s games at regular intervals. It raises a big question,” says Summanen.

“It’s not always the defenders’ fault. Centers and forwards also have their responsibilities, but it’s strange that the readings are like that for all experienced packs. HIFK’s overall movement of the puck and passing from defenders are clearly behind against the most mobile teams, such as against Ilves and Tappara.

That’s why, according to Summanen, the superiority game is exceptionally important for HIFK.

“Furthermore, HIFK takes quite a few ice breaks (5th fewest little twos). It’s one important thing and tells the story that the team is committed.”

“It has surprised me how one of the strongest and most experienced teams in the league has been able to adapt in this new jungle of rules. HIFK is not a particularly fast team, but it is quite durable and disciplined.”