WC: 2015 — Team Finland

[FiLe]

Honestly, Louhivaara, H.Pesonen, Hartikainen are all the same to me for the 4th line. Hartikainen has more profile, but the other two have been great so far in the pre-tournament games.

When you put them in the grinder slot and expect them to do what a grinder does and not much else, the differences between them are marginal, true. They all can fill the role without a single complaint whatsoever.

But when it comes to generating odd flashes of offence beyond that, I like Hartikainen over the rest of them, even Komarov. He has a quite a nose for those "dirty" goals once he finds his feels. So in that sense I'm happy to see him get the nod. It gives our (on-paper) 3rd or (in-reality) 4th line bit of additional transcendence.

 

[JJTT]

Saros is the backup goalie today. Hopefully he gets to play some games vs weaker countries next week.

 

[FiLe]

These first-game choices are usually a good indicator of the playing tandem. So unless Engren is injured, looks like Saros won the backup job, and deservedly so.

Would love to see him get a start or two as well. Though I don't think there exactly are "weak" countries to these games anymore. They're all capable of doing some damage if you're not awake at all times.

 

[SoupyFIN]

Saros has to play vs. Denmark. Rinne's poor stats since the ASG break + questionable positioning on the first and third goal shows that he isn't at the top of his game.

 

[Sabane]

Like I said earlier, I really dislike this 8 D-men thing. Nobody has any kind of touch atm. Mäntylä hasn't been able to handle puck at all today. Even Hietanen and Lindell have bounced the puck.

 

[Bps21*]

Somewhere Ristolainen is shaking his head

 

[rduck1]

Outskated, outworked, outplayed. That is all.

 

[agent082]

Jalonen, why can't you break Barkov-Jokinen? Please. I think they can be useful players, especially Barkov, but not together. They have the worst chemistry I have ever seen. How many games they now have been horrible together? Barkov has like 6 points in 35 games with Jokinen this season?

 

[BB88]

No one who can score, none who can play D, I said we are challengers.

 

[QnebO]

This team not working was common sense after last pre tournament games. Kari Jalonen is worst coach I have seen in NT. Shedden beats the **** out of him, he just took the best players and grinded straight forward hockey.

 

[JJTT]

Man Ristolainen must've been really bad if KJ took Mäntylä over him.

 

[QnebO]

Man Ristolainen must've been really bad if KJ took Mäntylä over him.

What's most ironic about mäntylä, is that the only thing he is actually at good level is strenght, but he is like 4'10

That guy shouldn't be playing in NT. No wonder tappara hasn't been able to pull those championships.

 

[SoupyFIN]

During the break (think it was about mid-way through the 3rd) on Tami's corner, they said that Jalonen left the decision up to Rinne that if he's good to play or not.

Seriously Jalonen? I get that Rinne is a big NHL star, but come on, that's a coach's decision and not something for the goalie to decide.

 

[BB88]

During the break (think it was about mid-way through the 3rd) on Tami's corner, they said that Jalonen left the decision up to Rinne that if he's good to play or not.

Seriously Jalonen? I get that Rinne is a big NHL star, but come on, that's a coach's decision and not something for the goalie to decide.

Goalies like Rinne will always say that yes I can play, but why did he put him there, give him some time to practive first.

 

[Johno]

oh please, oh please Pulkkinen come to the rescue. Nobody knows how to score and nobody is willing to shoot the puck... ugh

 

[QnebO]

oh please, oh please Pulkkinen come to the rescue. Nobody knows how to score and nobody is willing to shoot the puck... ugh

Quote for the truth.

 

[Ghost Bear]

I'm pretty sure that Pulkkinen is tied up in the AHL Playoffs, so he won't be available.

 

[Mestaruus]

Please KJ just put Kemppainen & Donskoi together all I'm asking, but I know he won't do any changes to the line ups unless Komarov will play.

Jokinen-Barkov-Ruutu/Pulkkinen (PP1 with Hietanen+Lepistö)
Donskoi-Kemppainen-Aaltonen (PP2 Kontiola 4th forward & Lindell solo defender)
Hartikainen-Kontiola-J.Pesonen
Pihlström-Immonen-Komarov/Louhivaara

Can also swap Jokinen & Aaltonen's places, but it's starting to get quite unrealistic that KJ would make this many changes.

 

[rduck1]

I'm pretty sure that Pulkkinen is tied up in the AHL Playoffs, so he won't be available.

Grand Rapids faces elimination again tonight and then potentially plays game 5 on Sunday.

 

[Bruce Granville]

Ristolainen the big winner so far.
A roster led by Jokinen (Jussi) won't win anything.

 

[Jussi]

I'm pretty sure that Pulkkinen is tied up in the AHL Playoffs, so he won't be available.

Grand Rapids are one loss from elimination.

 

[Sabane]

Please KJ just put Kemppainen & Donskoi together all I'm asking, but I know he won't do any changes to the line ups unless Komarov will play.

Jokinen-Barkov-Ruutu/Pulkkinen (PP1 with Hietanen+Lepistö)
Donskoi-Kemppainen-Aaltonen (PP2 Kontiola 4th forward & Lindell solo defender)
Hartikainen-Kontiola-J.Pesonen
Pihlström-Immonen-Komarov/Louhivaara

That lineup pleases my eyes. IMO Barkov-Jokinen were OK today, Donskoi was the "weak link" of that trio. Kemppainen were pretty good and Konna played like the way he did at AHL. Donskoi-Kemppainen duo should be together!

 

[Gaps]

The Americans have been a huge challenge for Team Finland recently. I think we've won 1 out of the last 5 games or something (the win being the 2012 QF). Still, what a terrible performance. Barkov was decent though.

Grand Rapids are one loss from elimination.

How come would/should Pulkkinen with few NT showings be allowed to join the team in the middle of the tournament after a season played mostly in the AHL (considering that even playing a full NHL season didn't help RR)? I'm just wondering why KJ would take him at this stage, not necessarily saying he shouldn't be brought in.

A roster led by Jokinen (Jussi) won't win anything.

Unfortunately I don't think there's a player in this roster whose leadership qualities would make much of a difference compared to the current situation. Plenty of 'A' material on this squad, but no 'C'.

 

[Mestaruus]

That lineup pleases my eyes. IMO Barkov-Jokinen were OK today, Donskoi was the "weak link" of that trio. Kemppainen were pretty good and Konna played like the way he did at AHL. Donskoi-Kemppainen duo should be together!

Yep, putting Donskoi & Kemppainen should be our priority #1 now, no matter what. I mean can't remember was it Donskoi or Kemppainen in the interview that said they have been line mates for 1.5 years now. Not just teammates but line mates. It's just idiotic not putting them together. Maybe Jalonen knows this and is just testing in the first game(s) if these guys can perform on high level by not being in same line as well, which proved to be true, but they are even better when they are together.

Maybe go with that and if we need changes in the future we can just swap Aaltonen & Jokinen's places. If we'd have problems with Immonen not being good enough 4C in the defensive end or not energic enough we can put Hytönen as 4C.

 

[QnebO]

How come would/should Pulkkinen with few NT showings be allowed to join the team in the middle of the tournament after a season played mostly in the AHL (considering that even playing a full NHL season didn't help RR)? I'm just wondering why KJ would take him at this stage, not necessarily saying he shouldn't be brought in.

He just won the AHL goal scoring and only played half of the games. Though KJ skipped palola also and he is a goal scorer, so can't wait much from that idiot. He probably think scoring goals is not important in hockey.

Pulkkinen should definitely be in the team. There is no question about it.