Ice hockey | The Lions’ number one chain was strengthened with a meatball: “Even then, he overturned a couple of guys, took possession and passed to the goal”

Prague

Lions returned to the ice after Thursday’s shock loss at noon on Friday. The humiliation offered by Austria no longer weighed on the lion players or the coaching staff.

There was a lively atmosphere in the O2-arena training hall and the flap flew.

After the exercises, a surprisingly calm head coach stepped in front of the media Jukka Jalonen.

“I feel really good now. We broke down yesterday’s game with the players and talked. Now it’s time to forget hockey for a while. We’ll be ready tomorrow when the game starts,” Jalonen said.

The biggest topic of conversation in Friday’s practice was related to chain changes.

Wandered in the shadows by Mikael Granlund as expected, the number one chain went to a new faith. Granlundin and Jere Innalan moved to the first chain alongside Iiro Pakarinen.

A new triple chain is in the form Juha Jääskä–Arttu Hyry–Valtteri Puustinen. Four is in form Saku Mäenalanen–Hannes Björninen–Pekka Jormakka.

Only Oliver Kapanen led by the second chain, on the sides Ahti Oksanen and Jesse Puljujärvistayed together.

Buttock32, is an attacker with a completely different profile than Puustinen, who was previously on the wing of the first team, who fell to the triple chain.

Pakarinen is a cheeky and straight-forward ball of meat who is not shy about getting into tight spaces.

“There are elements in that chain. However, Iiro is a physical player and goes for the goal. Someone has to be on target sometimes. You don’t score goals in this sport anyway. Through that, he brings diversity to that chain. Now let’s try this option”, explained Jalonen about the change.

Pakarinen has been a kind of fixer in the Lions World Cup team until now. When Pakarinen is rough in the box, things usually work in that chain.

“I don’t know if he has been on the pitch in all these games. That says quite a lot. Yesterday too, he took the block at the end after the initial loss. We need people like that. It’s a win-win situation”, Jalonen said.

On the offensive end, Pakarinen has also set an example of how to play as a strong exploit player. In Thursday’s match, Pakarinen started the Leijoni’s opening goal with a powerful puck attack behind the goal.

“Even then, he knocked down a couple of guys, took possession and passed to the goal. Iiro does small, winning things. He is not necessarily such a spectacular player, but I can say that all his teammates appreciate him both at HIFK and here.”

The lions the pump also has players from whom more is expected.

Granlund (0+4), the number one player with a big responsibility for results, has been scoreless in three of the four World Cup matches, and the right kind of radar pair has not been found alongside the captain.

Compared to expectations, the biggest disappointment so far has been Pittsburgh Penguins forward Puustinen, who is still without power points. Puustinen, 24, has previously been given responsibility both in the first chain and with superior strength.

According to Jalonen, coaching has different ways to wake up players who are responsible for results, but not more than that.

“It depends a bit on the situation. You can give a seam for a while, but at some point even that stops if the effects just don’t start coming. And of course, power is not the only thing that is hoped for here,” said Jalonen.

“If there are chances to score, that’s a good starting point. Then you just have to hope that it will sink in at some point. If there are no places, that’s a bad thing.”

Noble he and his adjutants also slightly modified defender pairs and another superior composition.

Kapanen, 20, has a defender as a new player in the second arm power mastered by him Vili Saarijärviwhich takes its place on the left side of the back triangle.

Thus, there are five players on the right side operating in the second half.

“It’s not quite everyday. It has certain elements that are played through. Let’s see how it works,” Jalonen said.

“We want that when the place comes, the appeal starts properly, and not for mattresses. Vili is good at shooting. He can shoot the number one up straight from the pass. Vili will now get a chance.”

About Saturday’s opponent from Canada, Jalonen didn’t want to outline it more. Jalonen will go through Canada with the players in more detail only on Saturday.

It is clear that Leijonat will face the toughest team of the tournament so far. Canada’s pack is lined with quality NHL players.

“The top team against. Everyone knows that. Full of top players, but today we’re not thinking about Canada”, announced Jalonen.

Finland–Canada on Saturday at 17:20.

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