“Incredibly sad” – Anrei Hakulinen specified the schedule of his return

– It is quite clear that losing such a player – a captain who leads the League’s point exchange – would affect every team, Luko’s head coach Marko Virtanen said.

– But we can’t go behind it. It won’t get better by fighting, but otherwise you have to raise your level.

Hand injury

Hakulinen was injured in the Karelia tournament match against Switzerland last Thursday.

– I was in front of the goal, and the puck came into my hand. Bad luck, Hakulinen, reached by phone, complains.

He was not with the team in Helsinki while recovering.

– It has been a good autumn for myself and the team. You had to play one and a half games in the national team shirt, and then an injury comes. It’s incredibly annoying, but these things hurt. This is one of the unpleasant aspects of the sport.

– However, it’s not worth getting depressed, it’s just the harder it is. I have to stay positive, Hakulinen poses.

The hand injury was operated on last Friday, and Lukko informed that his captain will be sidelined for several weeks. Now the return schedule has been specified.

– In the best case, after Christmas and at the latest after the turn of the year, he agreed.

So the man’s season is not ruined. The most important matches are played in the spring season.

– That’s exactly how it is. Fortunately, it didn’t last longer than that.

Of course, the next few weeks will not be just rest.

– This will be like a small summer training period. Able to punt and everything much more than normal. Let’s take advantage of it and hope that it will carry further in the spring.

Familiarize yourself with the gameplay

The season is Luko’s second under Virtanen’s command.

Last season, it defended the championship and made club history by winning 12 matches in a row, but after two corona waves, the ranking collapsed to tenth place.

Defeating HPK in “pity” was not much of a consolation, when Tappara, which got its golden train going, was better in the quarterfinals with a 4–1 victory.

The starting points for the blue and yellow team were better for this season, as Virtanen’s style of play was already familiar to most of the players.

The difference between the golden pilot Pekka Virran to the principles is that after exploits Lukko turns upwards faster. The draw game is still active, and the five usually do not cancel in the trap.

The defense held

Right from the start, however, the machine did not start, and there were three losses in the first five games.

– In practice games, you couldn’t keep your head clear, Hakulinen explains the initial difficulties.

– Since the beginning, it has been better supported. Mine hasn’t gone terribly well, and then you usually win games.

Lukko has conceded the fewest goals in the series (34).

– If you look at the overall picture, it has been very good, Hakulinen sums up the autumn.

In addition to a good understrength, he thanks the goalkeeper Atrjom Zagidulina.

– Zagidulin has been amazing. What gamesavers he has taken and let us mahis win. There, thank you very much.

According to Hakulinen, the Venäläisvahti is a liked person among the team.

– Not the best English in the world, but it has improved a lot during the year. He is a nice guy and a humorist, doesn’t take things too seriously.

Responsibility for young people

I got the lock in Helsinki Antti Saarelan from illness back to the lineup, but in addition to Hakulinen, key players as well Josh Kestner is on the side.

– When there are injuries, someone else’s role increases. Young people have taken their place and filled it. We have good young players, Hakulinen praises.

Luko’s budget has room for one more player acquisition. Sports director Hakulinen agrees Kalle Sahlstedt with the fact that it is not worth rushing with the matter.

– It’s pointless to hire for fun, if it’s not confirmation, the skipper says.

– We prefer to scare young people. It’s like putting money in the bank.

Especially the defender from Luku’s inexperienced guard Kalle Ervasti and attackers Niklas Ylitalo and Kim Nieminen have responded well to the call.

Handball

Hakulinen is critical of the league’s line of referees. He considers that to have changed since the early season.

– You can hang and tear quite a lot. Handball has made a bit of a comeback.

An experienced player can see that this was connected to the number of goals scored by the League: when there are no superior forces, there will be no yv goals either.

– And if you’ve beaten your own guy and there’s a little catch but you don’t fall, there’s no cooldown and the situation dries up.

Good ingredients

Hakulinen doesn’t want to start comparing the team to Luko’s championship season 2020–21.

– After all, we have good ingredients. However, it is difficult to compare the seasons, he states.

– We have started well, but yes, we must constantly improve our game if we want to succeed in the spring.

As if underlining Hakulinen’s words, the up-and-coming HIFK left Luko without opportunities on Wednesday.