Kiekko-Espoo is ready to play for a long spring.
One of the successful acquisitions of Kiekko-Espoo, Peter Quenneville, a Canadian, is venting his goal. Espoo players play in the playoffs and the team is ready to be surprised. AOP / Matti Raivio
- The Kiekko-Espoo team has values.
- For Espoo people, you can play the role of a surprise in spring games.
Kiekko-Espoo can be considered as the second toughest surprise of the SM League, right after SaiPa. The ascendant team has been heavily poking in the middle of the series for most of the season.
-Hockey-Espoo is a big success already. They have many basic things in order. The team got a good start for the season, it is especially important for the standstill.
– Their defense game is good, specifically for the entire team’s defense. It has been a big focus for the team. The team is uniform and committed, says Pekka Virta, Iltalehti’s hockey expert.
Good purchases
Salo HT’s breed Santeri Virtanen attended many league clubs, but in Espoo, the man’s game has gone. AOP / Tomi Natri
Kiekko-Espoo has succeeded in its player acquisition.
– Santeri Virtanen, Arttu TuomaalaHeikki Liedes and Kasper Kulonummi have been good purchases. Other others could be mentioned. At least North Americans have succeeded in foreign acquisitions, Power.
In addition, the Espoo team has one important thing in order.
– There’s an Espoo spirit there if you can say so. The team has a lot of Espoo players who have returned home. They include Ville Lajunen and Tomi Sallinen.
– Some are again players who have now got the first chance to play at the highest league level. Chemistry is fine.
Big role showtime
Goalkeeper Petteri Rimpinen is an important player for Kiekko-Espoo in Playoff. Timo Kunnari
18-year-old goalkeeper Petteri Rimpinen has been an important player in Espoo this season.
The young man played himself on big headlines at the Under-20 World Cup at the turn of the year. Rimpinen played all Finnish matches there and led the young Lions to the tournament finals, the World Championship silver.
-He’s up to the title of the Year. And I don’t think he will get fatigue. Like the rest of the team, he certainly sees that there is now a great opportunity, the playoffs, Virta continues.
-Against these backgrounds, Kiekko-Espoo is a surprise team in Playoff. There are values in order, Virta recalls.
Flow on top
Heikki Liedes plays good in Espoo. AOP / Matti Raivio
Rimpinen is on the same line.
– The really positive feeling is this season so far. The whole team has taken big steps. There haven’t been many teams in the series that could not be won.
Rimpinen’s nickname is “Showtime”.
– We quickly got the team together and have been one family from the beginning. I think it is visible on the ice.
The ascending team did not wonder about the highest levels of the highest league, but pressed into the playoffs in the first league season.
– We have the opportunity to go from the first round to the future. After that, there are opportunities for anything. Depends on how we get the flow on.
– We have an experienced team, it helps in a pressure game. I have a big credit for this team, but I’m not betting on the spring anymore, 18-year-old Rimpinen continues.
Aho commands
Jyrki Aho coaches for the second time in his career in Espoo. AOP / Matti Raivio
Jyrki Aho is the head coach of Kiekko-Espoo. Aho won the Finnish Championship as head coach in the spring of 2012.
The man then coached in Espoo, Pori, China, Austria and France before the man returned to Espoo.
– I see that Aho has the same situation as many players. He sees the opportunity and wants to show. He was out of the league for a long time. Many coaches are sneaking abroad, but many come back there. Here things work and the players are obedient.
– Aho certainly got a lot more on the trip abroad, Virta thinks.
Help from the audience
Kiekko-Espoo may write a ash story this spring. That’s where it needs the support of the home audience.
– We definitely need help from fans and home audience. We have had a good audience average for the whole season and a good time in the hall. Hopefully the players will have even more people and get the cottage full, anyone will face, says Rimpinen of the league season.