Germany’s head coach said he understood the frustration but pointed out that in Germany it is not customary to criticize referees.
Lions head coach Jukka Jalonen criticized after the winning match against Germany that the promises made in the World Cup about the referee line did not hold.
– I would have liked someone to catch the opponent also for the holdings they held against our big boys in their end, Jalonen said.
– And before the games, it was said in the head coaches’ meeting that if you highlight a mistake, it will always come second, but at least it didn’t happen today. There were a couple of the same ones: quite clear ice breaks for us, but the guy did overact a bit. I don’t know why such things are introduced if it doesn’t happen on the ice.
Germany head coach Harold Kreis heard about Jalonen’s criticism and responded to it in an interview with Iltalehti. Kreis was calm, but threw a small thorn in Finland’s direction.
– Two things happen in our league. We don’t criticize the judges and secondly, there will be a freeze on filming in Germany, Kreis said.
Kreis also coaches the German league’s Schwenninger Wild Wings.
– It is always a question of evaluation. We had more superior forces than Finland. I can understand his frustration, but referees have forgotten more things about hockey than I know, so I’m not criticizing these guys.
Individual skill decided
Germany is zero in Group A after two games. The start of the team’s match schedule was tough, because in the opening match they faced Sweden, who won 1–0.
In any case, Germany made both Sweden and Finland very hard.
– We are not satisfied with the result, but there was an attempt and we are confident that we will get wins and points in this game.
According to Kreis, Germany sensed that Finland might be under pressure after losing the opening game.
– We expected a hard game and an aggressive skating team.
According to the head coach, Finland was able to cross the middle zone too quickly, and in addition, the use of pucks caused problems for Germany.
– The second set had to make some corrections. Our package spread a little.
In the second period, Germany got into the game because of the Lions’ fools. However, in the fourth set, Finland’s individual skill decided the victory.
– Finland has very skilled players. The winning goal was an example of that. Mikko Rantanen misled our forward and shot to get the loose puck. Mikko Lehtonen shot it in. There is a lot of skill in the team.
Harold Kreis (back left) praised both Finland and his own team. Jussi Saarinen