Ice Hockey World Championships | Konsta Helenius, 18, became the Lions’ anti-hero – “Hard to watch”

Ostrava

Sweden–Finland 2–1 and. (0–0, 0–0, 1–1, 1–0)

Only recently turned 18 Konsta Helenius got into a rough spot, following the ice hiaition, when Tre Kronor scored a 2–1 winning goal in overtime and advanced to the semi-finals.

Helenius got two minutes for hooking in overtime. Lions head coach Jukka Jalonen considered the verdict wrong.

Helenius himself was of the opinion that he was not guilty of hooking.

“I haven’t seen afterwards, but it felt like I hit the bat,” said a very disappointed Helenius.

He experienced painful moments in Jäähyaitio.

“It was difficult to watch. The seconds were long,” Helenius said.

The lions the experienced players rushed to defend Helenius immediately after the match.

“Konsta doesn’t have to think about that situation at all. We win and lose together”, Vice-captain Mikko Lehtonen said.

“I haven’t seen the situation, whether it was worth freezing or not. But if there was a place for a freeze, then Konstan probably had to break in that case, because otherwise it would probably have been Läpiajo for the opponent.”

Captain Olli Määttä was sure that Helenius would not be left to ruminate in the ice of overtime.

“Konsta is a tough guy with attitude and character. That situation could have happened to anyone,” Määttä said.

Second Vice-Captain Hannes Björninen also said that no one really blames Helenius.

“We are all in this together and we don’t think about who did what. Everyone gave it their all and can be proud of the fight we put together today. We can be upright,” said Björninen.

Young Helenius had to lose many big matches this season. In addition to the loss in the quarterfinals of the Lions, Helenius was part of the U18 team, which also lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals.

Helenius, who played a breakthrough season, was also part of the Young Lions World Cup team, which lost to the Czech Republic in the bronze medal match. In the club team Jukurei, the season ended in the quarterfinals.

“Everything has happened,” Helenius acknowledged.