Kasper Halttunen was the happiest player in the Finnish team on New Year’s Eve. Konsta Helenius was already thinking about the future.
Kasper Halttunen scored his opening goal of the tournament against Latvia. PDO
On New Year’s Eve, Nuoret Leijonat beat Latvia cleanly 3–0 in the Under-20 World Championship.
The beginning of the victory, that is, the opening goal was scored by Tappara’s Benjamin Rautiainen.
– Konsta Helenius pulled a pencil or something, gave a good pass and it was quite easy to do, a striker who scored seven goals and 18 power points in 32 league matches.
Finland’s second goal was shot wonderfully into the top corner by Jesse Kiiskinen in the second period, and Kasper Halttunen fired the corresponding one right at the start of the final period with superiority.
For Halttus, the goal was the first of the tournament and a relief for the forward who plays for the London Knights of the OHL. After the goal, the youngster symbolically threw the monkey off his back in the substitution box and seemed to have a couple of words of encouragement.
Konsta Helenius led the first chain modelly.
– Well, that was a really good game, but it’s still not enough if you want to go all the way to the end. It went quite well for me, but it could have been better, we saved a little more.
The games continue on Thursday, the opponent of the Young Lions is still open.
– We have to put aside the little mistakes when the really big games start. This team has potential even up to the world championship. There is more to come from this team, Helenius assured.
Benjamin Rautiainen scored the opening goal of the Young Lions against Latvia. PDO
Three wins
Finland won three of its four preliminary round games. Germany, the United States and Latvia fell, especially the United States match was great from Finland.
The jacket came from Canada in the opening game of the tournament.