IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
Thomas Nykopp - Robert Leino - Ville Järveläinen
Petteri Lindbohm - Esa Lindell
Matti Lamberg - Saku Salminen - Henrik Haapala
Henri Auvinen - Joonas Valkonen
To me these guys seem to be on the clear for making the team: Barkov, Ristolainen, Pokka, Hännikäinen (weird if its true) and Lehkonen (forgot about him)
I'm missing H.Ikonen in both that lineup and the supposed locks though
While the team looks really good on paper this year, I'm afraid that the coaching might hurt this team... again. I have no idea why the Finnish ice hockey federation (read:Kummola) doesn't give the U-20 team a proven winning coach.
Goaltending is another questionmark. While I believe this team is capable of winning gold, I just have a bad feeling about these two things.
Armia and Granlund looking pretty good together, so I'm warming up to that combination a bit. Perhaps wouldn't hurt to move Teräväinen alongside them and Salomäki between Aaltonen and Ikonen, as it would balance the lines slightly.
Armia and Granlund looking pretty good together, so I'm warming up to that combination a bit. Perhaps wouldn't hurt to move Teräväinen alongside them and Salomäki between Aaltonen and Ikonen, as it would balance the lines slightly.
Something needs to be done about tonight's 2nd line. The Blues duo could use a power forward and Teräväinen can play somewhere else, but I'm reluctant to move Salomäki there. He fits in just fine with Armia and Granlund.
I'm hoping they'll try another line combination in Saturday's game.
It wasn't exactly a whole night's work for either of the goalies, but to my eye Laurikainen instilled slightly more confidence than Juvonen. He seems to have that Vehanen-like, very stoic style which still gets the job done surprisingly well. While one can't blame Juvonen fully for either of the goals he allowed, he still overplayed a little with them both.
Have to see how Korpisalo fares vs. USA, but right now I'd go with him and Laurikainen as the playing tandem.
Hard to say anything concrete about D. Tried to especially look into the DD contest behind Lindbohm, but neither Valkonen, Vainonen nor Auvinen showed up in good or bad. Which is probably just good, given what is expected of the player type.
Similar assessment about OD as well. Lindell and Vainio are battling for the last spot after Ristolainen and Pokka return to the lineup, but hard to say which one deserves it. I'm still leaning Vainio because he appears a little more versatile, but eh. Don't mind if the coaches call it different in the end.
Forwards. Armia + Granlund = Money. Especially against teams that don't forecheck as aggressively as Canada, those two are going to tear it up. Definitely the right call to keep the 93s together.
Below them, well... Aaltonen was good, and not simply because of the goal. He battled hard along the boards and was the only really visible guy below the first line. Was starting to click with Teräväinen, some nice passing between those two. Juuso Ikonen, both age and size showed here. May not be ready for this yet. I'd possibly replace him for a more physical player. Wouldn't mind seeing the surnamesake H.Ikonen tried there in the next game.
That Järveläinen goal actually worries me a little. Nice for "Bilbo" to score, and he's actually been very consistent with it (six goals in seven U20 games played this season), which is probably why is still on the camp, but he was mainly invisible otherwise. He doesn't appear to have much use beyond special teams, and we have players (mainly Pokka) to take over that slot in blueline he manned tonight. Given how we already have Teräväinen and likely Lehkonen as locks to make the team, I will definitely be left with my jaw agape if both him and J.Ikonen make it through the final cut.
And oh, they definitely need to do something about those faceoffs. Granlund was the only one who could draw in some (and even he left a little to be desired). Luckily Barkov should bring some relief to that, but Aaltonen or Teräväinen need to improve as well.
Armia and Granlund looking pretty good together, so I'm warming up to that combination a bit. Perhaps wouldn't hurt to move Teräväinen alongside them and Salomäki between Aaltonen and Ikonen, as it would balance the lines slightly.
not saying i would be against trying Teuvo there, but how would that balance the lines?
aside from kilograms, i mean.
Salomäki-Granlund-Armia seems to be better than Granlund-Granlund-Pulkkinen was last year.
Many were actually calling for a MaG <-> Donskoi switch last year to create a more balanced top-six, but Raipe just wouldn't do it. Probably because he had a wet dream of turning the G bros into the Finnish Sedins or something.
Salomäki-Granlund-Armia seems to be better than Granlund-Granlund-Pulkkinen was last year.
It's quite clear that three skilled midgets together without a workhorse isn't the best possible combo. Armia was just unbeatable there with his reach and strength. Can't wait what Barkov can do in his own line and Armia in his own. Both have benefited a lot playing all seasons against men in SM-Liiga.
not saying i would be against trying Teuvo there, but how would that balance the lines?
aside from kilograms, i mean.
The third line would improve defensively and get some grit, whereas the second line would get more of some playmaking ability. Might be worth mentioning that I still have a fetish of sticking Teräväinen or Barkov alongside Armia.
Helminen will be back as the U20s head coach next season. Ugh. If we want a medal anytime soon, we'd better take it now.
It should be Tomek Valtonen's turn next year, without question. Marjamäki got the job after being Jortikka's assistant. Helminen was Marjamäki's assistant. So what's the problem? Valtonen even has better coaching resume than Helminen at this moment, let alone when Raipe got the job. Jokerit are on fire ATM and we shouldn't forget what he accomplished last year.
What's the point having a full time head coach if you hire an unqualified one?
What's the point having a full time head coach if you hire an unqualified one?
The arrangement might not be so bad from a practical standpoint if Valtonen continues as an assistant, with Raipe more as a figurehead (though we naturally don't know that yet, so no need to get overly optimistic).
Of course, even it that comes to pass, it does nothing to amend the question presented. It'll simply be yet another Jutila-type sauna buddy deal Kummola likes to hand around. Just retire already, you corrupt hippo.
It should be Tomek Valtonen's turn next year, without question. Marjamäki got the job after being Jortikka's assistant. Helminen was Marjamäki's assistant. So what's the problem? Valtonen even has better coaching resume than Helminen at this moment, let alone when Raipe got the job. Jokerit are on fire ATM and we shouldn't forget what he accomplished last year.
What's the point having a full time head coach if you hire an unqualified one?
I'd rather take Raipe at full time than Tomek at part time for one year.
No FIN-SWE game. Only FIN-CAN, SWE-USA and FIN-USA, SWE-CAN.
Have to wait 'til New Year's Eve to see that matchup.
All right. Thanks for the info. Better we don't let those Swedes injure our star players before the important game (because that is the only way they could win ).
Anyone think Lehkonen will actually make the team?
Only Barkov has more points than Lehkonen this season in Sm-Liiga, so he is locked in for sure. I think its kinda funny that our top2 scorers from Sm-Liiga are both 95 born players.
).
