Oh well, Sallinen hasn't done anything to deserve to stay out of the pressbox, so I'm fine with that change. But seriously, still no other changes to the lines? 
WC: 2016 Team Finland Pt. II
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At least he should've stuck to the Aho <-> Komarov switch, since that worked rather well.
I'm honestly starting to wonder if there's any other reason for clinging to this lineup than some stubborn pride. People are calling for changes, but if he ends up making changes, he may end up having to answer questions why it took him so long to see things others saw far sooner.
He's a conservative coach, I think that's all there is to it really. He sticks to his ideals and plans with the expectation that it might take time for things to click, and relatively often things actually do work out eventually. The problem of course is that this tournament format has fairly little of that precious time to offer, and additionally we have an exceptional number of players that weren't there for camp this time round(which essentially amounts to a "handicap" in adjustment). Kind of a poor fit for the job in that sense.
He's still far from being a horrible coach, contrary to "popular opinion", and the team has actually been performing fairly well IMO. The results could be more impressive, but we're still undefeated. There certainly are some issues that I'd like to see addressed, but I don't see them being the difference between gold and the quarter-final exit some of the doomsayers have been foretelling(and switching playes around isn't the only way to address those issues).
P.S. Just so we are clear, I do not count the quoted among the doomsayers.
They got 2 games to get it together, well 3 in reality, but i think they wanna win the canada game too considering the easier match up. I'm thinking he lets the veterans do what they like as jokinen is playing on laine's spot which seems silly. Other reason could be likes to keep right shot on right wing but that's kinda too old school view.
My best guess is that the reason he didn't stick to that change was that he wanted to keep the Koskiranta "shutdown line" intact. Although that is a perfectly good shutdown line when facing weaker opponents, when you're up against the ah-so-honorable Captain Canada Kori Peri and his buddies, Koskiranta and Pyörälä aren't good enough for the shutdown role.
Conspiracy Theorist
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The Canada game will be a very important game for team Finland. The winner of the Finland - Canada fixture will, in all likelihood, face Switzerland in the QFs. In other words, the winner of the Finland - Canada game will get a free-pass to the semi-finals. Loser will have to face either Russia or Sweden in the QFs.
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BB88
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Jalonen please go home, this is driving me crazy.
Honka would have brought much needed skating to defense, weak teams can give troubles to our defense, Salomaki would have been a Komarov Jr on the 4th line and would have been nice to see him fight for a Wold Cup spot.
I don't understand why we don't have a huge battle for that #1 goalie spot, it shouldn't be given with the guys we have, it should be earned.
I don't understand what the ..... does he see in those lines, 5on5 play has been awfull so far, no line is clicking that great.
He probably still thinks Koivu line is the #1pp unit while other unit has players that have scored 6 goals in the powerplay.
Also my issue is faceoffs, it's a small move but why can't we use shooters in the faceoff?
Why does someone like Laine have to go on the wing instead of one timer position?
Again, go home Jalonen you'll lose this tourney for us.
Honka would have brought much needed skating to defense, weak teams can give troubles to our defense, Salomaki would have been a Komarov Jr on the 4th line and would have been nice to see him fight for a Wold Cup spot.
I don't understand why we don't have a huge battle for that #1 goalie spot, it shouldn't be given with the guys we have, it should be earned.
I don't understand what the ..... does he see in those lines, 5on5 play has been awfull so far, no line is clicking that great.
He probably still thinks Koivu line is the #1pp unit while other unit has players that have scored 6 goals in the powerplay.
Also my issue is faceoffs, it's a small move but why can't we use shooters in the faceoff?
Why does someone like Laine have to go on the wing instead of one timer position?
Again, go home Jalonen you'll lose this tourney for us.
More than likely Canada will beat Finland, and Finland will play Sweden in the qf, and Cze in the semi.
I would rather go down that road than playing against Swiss in the qf and Russia in the semis.
Just think about it
Of course, if Sweden beats Russia, and Finland loses to Canada, that would mean Russia in the qf.
I agree with this 100%. Regardless, our even strength play could look far better, he must be aware of that. Of course, complete rebuild of the lineup is obviously not going to happen this late, people who call after that are far out to sea.
But still, it's weird him being unwilling to try switching this piece around here, and another there. Because it's not like he has to stick to that either or mess things up even more if the magic still fails to happen. He has now established a baseline in the current lineup that has shown it can win games. I mean to say, it's still an option to go back to what we have now if the tweaks don't appear to bring any better results.
Periwinkle
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- Apr 3, 2014
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Eh, I don't get the Honka wishes. I admit not to watching his AHL games but he can be a mess defensively, at least was a year ago at the WJC'sn(when too eager to attack). It doesn't seem likely it is his time yet.
As for Salomäki, no thanks. We already have grinders, and ones who are not jetlagged. He also seems to have a habit of taking stupid penalties/playing close to crossing the line. That is not needed on international ice.
As for Salomäki, no thanks. We already have grinders, and ones who are not jetlagged. He also seems to have a habit of taking stupid penalties/playing close to crossing the line. That is not needed on international ice.
BB88
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That's like 1.5years ago when he had just turned 19y, he's now had 2 full seasons in the AHL.
Have you seen this defense?
This defense has zero NHL players so it's not like we'd be trying to push him to Canadas roster, this defense needs players that can escape the pressure, and Honka brings that to the table, all of the D-players seem to be weak offensively, none of them seem to know how to shoot or play speed game.
I'm having nightmares thinking about game against Canada/Russia.
Can the defense get the puck out of the D-zone is my question.
If Lindell and Pokka are struggling with it, putting one's hopes on Honka seems kinda naive.
Besides, Honka could possibly be as puzzled with it as the rest of them. It's the wider box. In the NHL sized rink, the basic move is to pass along the boards, since there are bound to be more of your own players in the defensive zone, and they're that much more likely to reach the puck even when properly positioned around the net.
On these European airfields however, that turns into a 50-50 pass, risking a turnover, unless you check first that a teammate is in a position to receive it. So you need that split second more to decide whether it's a safe move or not. What is an advantage in the offensive zone becomes a hindrance in the defensive end.
BB88
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I wouldn't put expectations for him to be saviour, but to potentially help with the biggest weakness we have.
The transition is bad and neeeds help, but Jalonen is trying to do his best to not help that.
Honka is such a beautiful skater that he could be a huge for for transition game, all of Lindell/Pokka/Honka are different players.
Our defense still has no NHL D-players so suggesting him giving a shot shouldn't be that crazy of an idea.
snipes
How cold? I’m ice cold.
- Dec 28, 2015
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I wonder how they'll handle Canadas forecheck. They probably haven't seen anything like it before.
Your forwards are amazing though, this one could be a shootout and high scoring game. Definitely not underestimating the Finns at all.
Koskinen will start today. Komarov will play with Koivu and Grandlund. Aho has been moved to the third line which features Koskiranta and Pyörälä. Pulkkinen is the odd man out, being the 13th forward for today's game.
Source: http://www.iihfworlds2016.com/en/games/2016-05-14/FRA-vs-FIN/
Scratch that
. According to Iltasanomat, Pulkkinen will play with Lajunen and Philström, Sallinen being the odd man out.I don't know what or who made KJ change his mind about playing Aho with Koivu and Granlund, but I'm grateful nevertheless. 
Btw, the team pulled a prank on Granlund last night and served cake for ilmaveivi's 5th anniversary:
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BFWuK9dzbsl/?taken-by=komarovleo47
Btw, the team pulled a prank on Granlund last night and served cake for ilmaveivi's 5th anniversary:
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BFWuK9dzbsl/?taken-by=komarovleo47
Needs to be better, hopefully Finland is just saving their energy for the big games, box play didn´t look good today.
Still undefeated 
. All units seem to working really well aside from the fourth, though finishing is still a bit lacking. Koskinen has also looked a bit shaky at times, but not to point that it's a huge concern. I'd still like to see Saros start the big games(his puck skills are so much better), though that seems unlikely at this point.
. All units seem to working really well aside from the fourth, though finishing is still a bit lacking. Koskinen has also looked a bit shaky at times, but not to point that it's a huge concern. I'd still like to see Saros start the big games(his puck skills are so much better), though that seems unlikely at this point.
Periwinkle
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The Komarov/Aho swap is actually working so I'll give the coaches that. If the plan is to give each player at least one game, Rantanen should be in tomorrow. I think Mertsi said Pulkkinen got benched towards the end so I guess that could be a sign he's falling out of favour?
Sloppy third period, I get saving energy but I'm afraid cruising now may result in lack of "flow" in the tough games.
Sloppy third period, I get saving energy but I'm afraid cruising now may result in lack of "flow" in the tough games.
