Oh I get your irony part perfectly but my point about the nationality still stands.
You were joking thats fine I just wanted to point that out
WJC: 2016 — Finland Roster Talk
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Oh I get your irony part perfectly but my point about the nationality still stands.
You were joking thats fine I just wanted to point that out
He had a terrible game against Russia, but today I thought he was okay outside the PK(which just sucks in general). The struggles in our end seem more like a systemic problem than an individual one, considering almost every defenseman is doing quite poorly on that part.
King Weber
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- Apr 9, 2015
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My views after 3 games:
Laine-Aho-Puljujärvi:
Man are they fun to watch. Aho works nicely as the glue in that line, and he's been no slouch in the faceoff circle either. Sometimes they try to be too fancy, generally not a problem except when they do it in the neutral zone. Their forechecking is good, as are their breakouts. Sometimes I wish someone on that line would go to net when they're cycling to cause havok and chip in rebounds. Off the rush they're always dangerous, although they sometimes try to be too cute. Haven't noticed them getting stuck in the defensive zone for too long and especially Puljujärvi seem to be really good at digging pucks loose on the boards and turning the play the other way. Grade: A+
Kalapudas-Hintz-Rantanen:
Not really sure what to think of this line. Kalapudas worked alot better than Kapanen on that line, but I still feel Hintz provides very little. He's good at zone entries and net drives, but he does far too little of the latter and he's been horrendous on faceoffs. Kalapudas and Rantanen worked nicely along the boards in the offensive zone, although I'd like Rantanen to drive the play towards the net more, at the moment he seems to play on the perimeter too much, love his quick stops and pivots to the middle though, he looks alot like Jagr when he does that. I'd keep the line as is, and see if they get going, perhaps have Kalapudas take draws instead of Hintz and see if that works better. They didn't seem to have any problems in the d-zone either, however that may change against tougher competition. Grade: C
Saarela-Nättinen-Kapanen:
Liked this line. Kapanen looked alot better on this line. They seem to complement each other fairly well. Saarela clearly the driving force on this line. Kapanens zone entries are excellent and his speed causes alot of problems for the defence, although again no one seems to be driving the net off the rush. Kapanen needs to get the puck off his stick quicker, both when passing and when shooting. He had chances and I believe the pucks will start to go in. Nättinen seems to be fighting the puck alot. Like the physicality of the line too. Grade: B
Lammikko-Siikonen-Björkqvist:
They work well as a checking line. I like their willingness to crash the net and their ability along the boards. They're not supposed to be a primary scoring threat, so I'm not asking for anything more offensively. Defensively however they seem like the line most likely to get stuck in their own zone and they end up chasing the play and getting out of position, they need to shape up there. Grade: C+
Repo:
He did ok in the first two games, didn't stand out that much apart from his goal. You could swap him in instead of Björkqvist, but in my view that would really be a lateral move. Alternatively you could swap him in for Hintz and move Kalapudas to the middle. Grade: C+
Defence:
Juolevi is clearly the best defender on the team, has a few hiccups but that's to be expected. His breakout passes are for the most part excellent and he gives good support in the offensive zone. He lacks Saarijärvis agility on the point, and is not as proficient in getting shots through, but does well enough.
Saarijärvi is also very good on the breakout and excellent on the point in the offensive zone.
Of the rest only Tuulola and Niku has stood out positively for me although both have had some rather poor plays too. Mikkola has been meh, Keskitalo bad and Sopanen really bad.
On the whole they've been quite bad at clearing the front of the net and have been caught puck-watching too often. The transition game has on the whole been quite good and their ability to beat the forecheck has mostly been up to par, although we'll see how they do against the heavier forecheck of the Canadians and Americans.
I'd give the following grades:
Juolevi: B+
Saarijärvi: B
Tuulola: C
Niku: C
Mikkola: D
Keskitalo: D-
Sopanen: F
PP: Excellent, although entirely thanks to the first unit. The second unit needs to either get point shots while driving the net or figure out how to get cross-ice passes to Kapanen or Rantanen for onetimers.
PK: Horribad. Out of position, allowing cross-ice passes, deflecting pucks into your own net, puck watching, losing faceoffs, losing board battles, getting outmuscled in the slot. They've been quite good at clearing pucks after they win them though. They need to work on this!!!
Final thoughts: Their team defence needs to improve, especially on the PK. They defend quite well off the rush, but as soon as the opponent manages to establish a cycle they generally end up out of position and danger ensues. 5-on-5 it hasn't been as horrible as on the PK, but it could still improve. In general though Finland has dominated 5-on-5 play and been hurt by a terrible PK.
Laine-Aho-Puljujärvi:
Man are they fun to watch. Aho works nicely as the glue in that line, and he's been no slouch in the faceoff circle either. Sometimes they try to be too fancy, generally not a problem except when they do it in the neutral zone. Their forechecking is good, as are their breakouts. Sometimes I wish someone on that line would go to net when they're cycling to cause havok and chip in rebounds. Off the rush they're always dangerous, although they sometimes try to be too cute. Haven't noticed them getting stuck in the defensive zone for too long and especially Puljujärvi seem to be really good at digging pucks loose on the boards and turning the play the other way. Grade: A+
Kalapudas-Hintz-Rantanen:
Not really sure what to think of this line. Kalapudas worked alot better than Kapanen on that line, but I still feel Hintz provides very little. He's good at zone entries and net drives, but he does far too little of the latter and he's been horrendous on faceoffs. Kalapudas and Rantanen worked nicely along the boards in the offensive zone, although I'd like Rantanen to drive the play towards the net more, at the moment he seems to play on the perimeter too much, love his quick stops and pivots to the middle though, he looks alot like Jagr when he does that. I'd keep the line as is, and see if they get going, perhaps have Kalapudas take draws instead of Hintz and see if that works better. They didn't seem to have any problems in the d-zone either, however that may change against tougher competition. Grade: C
Saarela-Nättinen-Kapanen:
Liked this line. Kapanen looked alot better on this line. They seem to complement each other fairly well. Saarela clearly the driving force on this line. Kapanens zone entries are excellent and his speed causes alot of problems for the defence, although again no one seems to be driving the net off the rush. Kapanen needs to get the puck off his stick quicker, both when passing and when shooting. He had chances and I believe the pucks will start to go in. Nättinen seems to be fighting the puck alot. Like the physicality of the line too. Grade: B
Lammikko-Siikonen-Björkqvist:
They work well as a checking line. I like their willingness to crash the net and their ability along the boards. They're not supposed to be a primary scoring threat, so I'm not asking for anything more offensively. Defensively however they seem like the line most likely to get stuck in their own zone and they end up chasing the play and getting out of position, they need to shape up there. Grade: C+
Repo:
He did ok in the first two games, didn't stand out that much apart from his goal. You could swap him in instead of Björkqvist, but in my view that would really be a lateral move. Alternatively you could swap him in for Hintz and move Kalapudas to the middle. Grade: C+
Defence:
Juolevi is clearly the best defender on the team, has a few hiccups but that's to be expected. His breakout passes are for the most part excellent and he gives good support in the offensive zone. He lacks Saarijärvis agility on the point, and is not as proficient in getting shots through, but does well enough.
Saarijärvi is also very good on the breakout and excellent on the point in the offensive zone.
Of the rest only Tuulola and Niku has stood out positively for me although both have had some rather poor plays too. Mikkola has been meh, Keskitalo bad and Sopanen really bad.
On the whole they've been quite bad at clearing the front of the net and have been caught puck-watching too often. The transition game has on the whole been quite good and their ability to beat the forecheck has mostly been up to par, although we'll see how they do against the heavier forecheck of the Canadians and Americans.
I'd give the following grades:
Juolevi: B+
Saarijärvi: B
Tuulola: C
Niku: C
Mikkola: D
Keskitalo: D-
Sopanen: F
PP: Excellent, although entirely thanks to the first unit. The second unit needs to either get point shots while driving the net or figure out how to get cross-ice passes to Kapanen or Rantanen for onetimers.
PK: Horribad. Out of position, allowing cross-ice passes, deflecting pucks into your own net, puck watching, losing faceoffs, losing board battles, getting outmuscled in the slot. They've been quite good at clearing pucks after they win them though. They need to work on this!!!
Final thoughts: Their team defence needs to improve, especially on the PK. They defend quite well off the rush, but as soon as the opponent manages to establish a cycle they generally end up out of position and danger ensues. 5-on-5 it hasn't been as horrible as on the PK, but it could still improve. In general though Finland has dominated 5-on-5 play and been hurt by a terrible PK.
agent082
Registered User
- Feb 11, 2012
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Watch the first period again. He was horrible with the puck. Little less visible after that thank god.
I just don't understand why Jalonen kept playing Siikonen and Björkqvist on the PK, as soon as Siikonen and Björkqvist come on, Slovakia scores.
Saarela is 75% on faceoffs btw
http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/419/IHM419000_85F_17_0.pdf
Saarela is 75% on faceoffs btw
http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/419/IHM419000_85F_17_0.pdf
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It's funny how this team is complete opposite of an usual Finnish team.
We could win this tournament if we get our defensive game (especially PK) sorted out. Our goalies have to perform better, it seems like neither of them can't even catch a cold. Don't know who should start in the QF.
Too bad, I can see an early exit for the young lions against North American talent.
We could win this tournament if we get our defensive game (especially PK) sorted out. Our goalies have to perform better, it seems like neither of them can't even catch a cold. Don't know who should start in the QF.
Too bad, I can see an early exit for the young lions against North American talent.
agent082
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- Feb 11, 2012
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Ville231
Registered User
Who is their third goalie?
Emil Larmi, who's actually been quite a sensation this year. But I thought Kähkönen was ok today.
Already enthusiastic about the CAN-FIN (probable) QF. Let's play hockey!
snipes
How cold? I’m ice cold.
- Dec 28, 2015
- 56,211
- 65,527
Emil Larmi, who's actually been quite a sensation this year. But I thought Kähkönen was ok today.
Already enthusiastic about the CAN-FIN (probable) QF. Let's play hockey!
Would be a great game, the atmosphere would be rocking. I am really look forward to that match up
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Gsus
MVP
He's played PK in Ässät this season and manages to do it. Lammikko-Saarela could be one pairing for PK. Or should.
Agreed as well. He could've panicked after the two quick goals, but didn't (and neither did the rest of the team). In the game against Russia, you could tell how insecure Vehviläinen was feeling just by looking at his body language, while there was none of that going on with Kähkönen. They're both skilled enough to be amongst the best goalies in the tournament, it's all about how they can handle the stress and pressures, and right now it looks like Kähkönen can handle them better.
Correction, it's funny how usual Finnish team this side is.
Having a good goalie and solid defense is still so new to us that to me it's the normal.
Circulartheory
Registered User
Wasn't just me then seeing Vehvilainen extremely nervous in net. In net, alot of it is about how decisive you are in your movements. It seemed like on almost every shot, he was so unsure of himself, that he would hesitant on simple movements, opening up big holes when shuffling or sliding along the crease. Its becomes a much bigger problem for an average/smaller sized goalie like him too who needs to move quickly and aggressively on every shot.
Mark my words: Rantanen will be one of our leading players in playoff games.
Only concern is our defence and PK. Improvement is needed.
Only concern is our defence and PK. Improvement is needed.
Gormo
Holupchi
- Nov 12, 2010
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Emil Larmi, who's actually been quite a sensation this year. But I thought Kähkönen was ok today.
Already enthusiastic about the CAN-FIN (probable) QF. Let's play hockey!
Gotta love Laine. Just made any potential match up much more interesting.
I have a tough time disagreeing however. You guys could definitely beat us, and for a nation of 5.5 million you put out a ton of excellent hockey players.
gwh
Registered User
- Mar 4, 2013
- 3,688
- 622
We have several D men in the roster who have trouble skating backwards greatly reducing my trust to the junior system.
Not the 70s anymore, should get the basics down at 20.
FinPanda
Barkov Stanley cup champ!
Next years defense will be a lot better. Vainio, Välimäki, Niemeläinen, Juolevi, Saarijärvi, Vaakanainen and Salo.. Maybe Ville Järvinen?
agent082
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- Feb 11, 2012
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Why bother to invite if Jalonen has seen many full games and/or shift by shift videos, interviewed scouts, their coaches and players themselves etc. and hasn't been impressed.
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kelsier
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- Aug 17, 2013
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This year's D group is so bad I cannot but wonder if Jalonen really bothered to "investigate" deep enough wether it was worth it to try out the younger ones. Missing Vainio is a bit off as well, have to agree. Vaakanainen would have been an addition also, looking how things are now. If we won't reach the medals it's not going to be due to the offense.
For what it's worth, you don't usually do awfully well in the U20s if the defense is full of cageheads. If it's a choice between slightly more raw skill and more mature mind, I can't blame a single coach who elects to go for the latter.
And once again I find myself reminding of the pitfalls of pitting personal best-case-fantasy scenario against reality. What if Jalonen had picked more underagers and that would have led to some flashes of brilliance, but also more turnovers and overall sloppy plays? I bet the same people who think our current D sucks would have been saying, "they could use the calming presence of Mikkola/Sopanen", etc.
That being said, with Saarijärvi and Juolevi (hopefully) returning, and Vainio, Niemeläinen, Välimäki and Salo being fully ready to tackle this level, our D group for next year is looking quite nice.
anders and
Registered User
- Nov 16, 2013
- 173
- 14
Yeah. But I could almost promise that I'll eat borscht from a sweaty jockstrap if Russia loses.
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