With the win, the Jokers got a little room to breathe. The debut of the Veikkaus arena offered the supporters a treat.
Aleksi Elorinne scored no less than two goals against Joensuu. Tom Natri
On Friday, an extraordinary show was seen in the Veikkaus arena located in Ilmala, Helsinki.
Jokerit returned to his familiar home arena and broke both the opponent’s and Mesti’s audience record, which now stands at 12,114.
It was also exceptional that the Joker’s basic pack Aleksi Elorinne scored two goals in the net of the away team Joensuu Kiekko-Poikie in a match that ended in a 7–4 victory for the home team.
– I can’t remember the last time I scored two goals, Elorinne said after the match and avoided drawing attention to herself.
– Classically, you can say that it doesn’t matter who scores those goals on a night like this. A great win for the team.
Statistics reveal that Elorinne scored two goals at least in 2018 in a training game against Trinec. Elorinne represented Tappara at that time.
– Well, now that you said it. There was a lot of people there too, but it wasn’t the same emotional charge as today.
Aleksi Elorinne has not become known as a goal gun. Tom Natri
Elorinne, who has won three Finnish championships and the French championship, is the cornerstone of the Joker’s defense.
Elorinne, who scored 32 regular season goals in 12 seasons in the SM League, could very well play their first two-goal adult league game on Friday.
– Yes, it is very possible. It doesn’t come to mind that there have been two at the men’s level.
“Was in a pinch”
The starting point for the Jokers to conquer the Veikkaus arena was not the best possible. Mesti’s pre-favorite hasn’t won nearly at the desired pace since the beginning of the season.
However, the team mentally managed the big night well.
– I felt that my mental state was constantly on the edge. Even though things happened in the game that we don’t want to happen, it didn’t affect us in any way, Elorinne said.
– We were really present mentally and emotionally. It’s not easy in such an emotional storm.
Elorinte’s pack couple was 18 years old Reko Alankowho started scoring after just over four minutes of play.
The long wait of the Jokerit fans ended in that moment, when the almost full Veikkaus arena got to fan the goal.
Jokerit managed to score no less than seven goals. Tom Natri
– It seems that there aren’t many young boys going crazy these days. They come there and put the best on the table. It was great to see Rekonki’s game today, how a young guy played in such a place, Elorinne said.
– At that age, I wouldn’t have been able to perform anywhere near the same.
Support is needed
Head coach of the Jokers Tomek Valtonen said that the team didn’t change anything in terms of the game for the Veikkaus-arena match, but spoke before the big night about the courage to play.
– We have played in the same way and we have played significantly better matches in terms of gameplay, Valtonen said.
According to Valtonen, Joker’s young players need coaching support.
– And encouragement. That’s what we talked about, the courage to play. And it wasn’t just about us playing in the arena. Tomorrow it’s the same thing when we play with Nokia. We have to be able to play with courage and trust. Sometimes there are mistakes, but that’s why there are four other players on the field plus the goalkeeper who are jeezing.
According to Tomek Valtonen, Jokerit succeeded in playing bravely and efficiently on Friday. Tom Natri
Elorinne and Valtonen cheered Joker fans and said they were privileged to be able to experience Friday’s show.
According to Elorinte, however, we cannot talk about a new beginning, but according to him, the team has always trusted in what they are doing, even though the result has not been what was hoped for.
– Yes, we have always trusted our process. Trust has not wavered at any point, Elorinne assured.
The number of spectators for the match was announced as 12,114 Tom Natri