The United States set the pace in the opening round of the World Cup.
– It was the third time, Iltalehti’s hockey expert Pekka Virta pointed out immediately.
The Lions will play the opening match of the World Cup against the United States. Sakari Manninen, Teemu Hartikainen and Mikko Rantanen formed by the number one chain tried the same gimmick repeatedly in the opening set.
Hartikainen served his old teammate Manninen no less than three long passes upwards.
– The first one was successful immediately, Virta reminded.
The first situation was seen only 30 seconds after the start of the game. Manninen caught Hartikainen’s pass on his shoulder and was able to attempt the opening goal for the US goal.
According to Virra, there is one clear reason why long passes were repeated in Finland’s game in the opening set.
– The USA comes at us hard all the time. That’s why the game went from end to end and the pace was fast.
A descriptive example was seen after 12 minutes of the game, when Leijonat tried to take control. The United States did not agree to this, but immediately came to pressurize.
The United States set the pace of the game.
– The first delayed start was only received at 19 minutes.
Finland leads the game after the opening set 1–0. Hartikainen was responsible for the hit.
Teemu Hartikainen served long passes. Jussi Saarinen