Finland finishes last in Ice Hockey Karelia Cup in Helsinki

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Finland's new ice hockey coach Jukka Jalonen did not exactly show much improvement on his predecessor's performance over the weekend at the Karelia Cup tournament in Helsinki.
      The Finns performed miserably in the unofficial European series tournament, which was played in Helsinki’s Hartwall Arena. Against Russia on Saturday, the Finnish “Lions” only managed a couple of goals, while against Sweden they could manage none.
     
Sweden collected a 2-0 win against Finland in a nearly sold-out arena, and the home team was left last in the tournament.
      Last year the Finnish national team was coached by Canadian Doug Shedden, but the Karelia Cup went all wrong for him, with Finland finishing last. This year Jukka Jalonen has taken on the responsibility as the head coach, but again the “Lions” finished fourth in the tournament. All they had to show for their troubles were two points gained for a penalty shootout win against the Czech Republic.
     
In the Sunday game against Sweden, Finland’s playing was incoherent and ineffective.
      A lot of defensive mistakes were made and Sweden took advantage on the powerplay. What illustrates the goings-on in the rink perfectly is the fact that even during Sweden's Rickard Wallin’s 2-minute penalty in the second period the visitors managed three attacks on the Finnish goal - while being outnumbered!
      Finnish captain Sami Kapanen was injured towards the end of the first period, further complicating Finland’s game.
      Kapanen took a shot from the puck in his right hand two minutes before the end of the first period.
      “I doubt that it is anything too serious. I believe I will be back in action on Tuesday against JYP from Jyväskylä”, said Kapanen, who plays as a forward for KalPa of Kuopio in the Finnish National League.
     
In the entire Karelia Cup Finland only managed to collect two points from a 4-3 win against the Czech Republic after penalties. Russia beat Finland 6-2, while Sweden - who were not exactly putting out a star-studded team - punished their Nordic neighbours through goals from Oscar Hedman and Mika Hannula.
      “A decided underachievement”, Kapanen summarised. “We made a lot of mistakes, especially in our five-man defence play.”
      The “Lions” may have stumbled, but for the organisers the Karelia Cup was a success. For the three-day tournament, 30,061 tickets were sold.
      Russia beat the Czechs on penalties after a goalless match on Sunday to take the top spot in the tournament. The Czech Republic had earlier disposed of Sweden by 4-1 on Saturday.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Sami Kapanen, 35, returns to Finnish “Lions” as captain in Karelia Cup (28.10.2008)

Links:
  Karelia Cup 2008

Helsingin Sanomat