Am i the only thinking that Anttoni is not as good as his older brother when he played the WJC? Julius could really fly pass opponents and i just can´t see that kind of skating from Anttoni. He´s so nonchalant and sleepy in his own zone and therefor i can't understand the coaches selecting this guy before Rindell, Niemelä and almost even Tuomisto.
I wan´t to see something from Raipe, time to step it up. If Honka is going to be that kind of a liability, then Raipe should pair him with Kokkonen. Someone who takes bigger responsibility defensively. Kokkonen or Utunen.
I really do think you have a bad eye for the game as a coach if you pair Honka or Thomson with Heinola. There will be no balance and it will be obvious in the quarterfinals.
There is just too many questionable selections from Raipe and his staff for me to even believe we have a chance to reach the semifinals, and it doesn't get better when reading Thomson and others saying they were nervous etc. That is often a sign of something, they don´t believe in themselves, each other or the gameplay.
I know this will be a radical opinion in some peoples eyes, but i do believe Lambert would have been ready for a role as winger. He is that good of a skater already and his skill is probably good enough for this tournament.
It´s a shame that Raipe and Kivenmäki clashed because when the depth is somewhat lacking this year, we would of needed someone who has the ability to create and show some finesse.
I mentioned the Honka brothers but what about Saarela? I don´t think Antti is on the same level as his brother Aleksi was when he played the WJC´s. Don´t know if i would have preferred Aaltonen, Nikkanen or Petman before him, depending on if we needed a center or a winger.
Even if Annunen was good i don't think the first and third goal was impossible to grab, quite the opposite. But i don´t want to blame him for anything when you have Honka as a defender and Raipe as a coach.
I really do hope Anttoni steps up his game and proves me wrong because i´m being harsh against him now and i know he is still young, but those who learn from their mistakes will develop and hopefully reach NHL someday. Now it´s up to him to erase these long going question marks.
Tsemppiä jätkille!
