No idea what's up with Finland producing these players that are below the average height than the population.
In a nutshell:
1. smaller boys learn to skate sooner than bigger and "stiffer" kids. Small and fast kids usually dominate.
2. boys are divided to three groups (A, AA and AAA), the best group with the smallest kids get the most practise, bigger kids practise less and therefore develop less
3. Granlund (x2), Pulkkinen, Teräväinen, Ikonen... (ofc there are exceptions: Armia, Barkov jr., Määttä...)
That's the rough version of the problem. Bigger kids need more time and attention to become pro.
I am so ecstatic that both Blues and Pelicans won (or more so that Kärpät lost). Hoping for a Jokerit-Blues final. As a Jokerit fan I would be obviously pulling for them, but I wouldn't mind seeing Blues finally winning the championship.
EDIT: How did Blues make history last season btw? Becoming the first team in SM-liiga making it to the finals through the "wild card" series?
Yep, even reaching semi-finals was history.
Being Blues fan myself, Jokerit vs Blues would be interesting, but wouldn't like to lose twice in a row against team from Helsinki. But on the counterpart, beating Jokerit would be more emotional than beating JYP.
Blues played really well in the second period but screwed up the game in the third by taking too many penalties. Same start as they had in the KalPa and Lukko series. I hope they pick up their game again like they did in the first two series'.
Jokerit seem to be out of it after being 3-0 down now, but that little kid.. he was man of the match today with the overtime winner - pelicans blues series is now 2-1.
*edit: second star, not first.. but still*
Blues is definetely building a reputation of being a team you do not want to face in the playoffs..
Last edited by Raimo Sillanpää: 04-07-2012 at 02:45 PM.
Go Pelicans! I want to see Pasi Nurminen celebrating championship again!
Sadly these games are in different BS channels...Nelonen Pro 1 and Nelonen Pro 2 (who has Pro 2 anyways) and Nelonen doesn't even have stream service. Though you can watch replay games in the evening/night from channel JIM.
He had a great season and brought grit, energy and important goals. Not the most talented guy out there but his work ethic is top notch. He likes Jokerit organization and Helsinki and signed 2 year extension.
I watched the fourth game live, and honestly it was one of the best games I've ever seen. So entertaining! The OT winning goal was just icing on the cake.
