The premiere of the Junior WC was anything but a walk in the park for the Junior Lions. Switzerland won after extra time – and the 3-2 victory was not unfair.
As usual, expectations are high when Finland will play the Junior World Cup in ice hockey. In the group, the Junior Lions are expected to settle for victory with the USA.
But they ran into unexpected patrol already in the opening game in Moncton.
Finland didn’t get anything for free against an opponent who played with discipline. Switzerland defeated the Czech Republic and Sweden in the training matches before the World Cup – and the championship started with a real bang, in the form of a Swiss overtime victory with 3-2.
– The team played very nervously. It was a very careful game and we lost the close matches. Apart from a few short moments, we didn’t follow the match plan today, says national team captain Tomi Lämsä to Discovery.
– Switzerland was just as annoying an opponent as I expected. But that Finland’s game would look so half-finished baffles me, says Yle’s expert Topi Nättinen.
Carelessness in the defensive zone
Finland was met by a tough Swiss defensive wall. If the average JVM match offers plenty of speed and frenzy, the premiere featured a lot of tight play.
A couple of minutes into the second period, a Swiss error led to a three-on-one Finnish attack, and Konsta Kapanen was able to net on a rebound.
The Junior Lions held onto the puck in their characteristic fashion, but it was Switzerland who had more chances. Carelessness in the Finnish defense would be costly.
The 1-1 goal in the second period came when the Junior Lions lost marking in the defensive zone and Lorenzo Canonica had to go for a shot from close range.
Kemell poked
The third period began with a cold shower as the Finnish defense was hollow again. The puck was loose behind goalkeeper Aku Koskenvuo, and Jeremy Jabola cut the play tool into the box.
Kalle Väisänen gave Finland hope with his equaliser. The TPS promise took a charge from the edge, worked his way towards the castle and scored the 2-2 goal with a rapped wrist shot.
Before that, Jani Nyman had hit the crossbar, but otherwise Switzerland managed to limit Finland’s progress effectively. The match went to extra time – and there the process was short.
Just over half a minute had been played when Attilio Blasca was given a little too much space. Koskenvuo could not handle the shot.
– It is difficult to play hockey without the right attitude and work ethic. We have to get that part in good condition, continues Lämsä.
Joakim Kemell was expected to be a guiding star for the Junior Lions in Canada. In the premiere, he had to settle for an extremely limited role.
Picture: Pasi Mennander / Suomen Jääkiekkoilitto
Finland’s men’s junior ice hockey team
The coach was responsible for an attention-grabbing move, when the team’s big star Joakim Kemell was only allowed to be the 13th striker.
The sniper had to change the fourth chain and play a little power play. At the end, Kemell took Brad Lambert’s place in the first chain.
– I don’t really know if there is any particular reason, other than that you have to be able to work hard every day and deserve your place in the line-up, comments Kemell about the poke.
The junior lions have to reload with a tight timetable. On Tuesday, they meet Slovakia with the match starting at 6 p.m.
Junior WC in ice hockey
Finland–Switzerland 2–3 after extra time (0–0, 1–1, 1–1, 0–1)
22.24 Konsta Kapanen (Kalle Väisänen, Sami Päivärinta) 1–0
32.54 Lorenzo Canonica (Jonas Taibel) 1–1
44.43 Jeremy Jabola 1–2 (Mats Alge, Jonas Taibel)
48.09 Kalle Väisänen (Sami Päivärinta, Kalle Ervasti) 2–2
60.41 Attilio Biasca (Lian Bichsel) 2–3
Goalkeepers:
Aku Koskenvuo FIN 6+9+8+1=24
Kevin Pasche SUI 4+4+6+0=14
