Eemil Erholtz was the Lions’ best player in the Karelia tournament.
Eemil Erholtz was brilliant in Leijon. Petri Saarelainen / AOP
Pori Ässie’s trail machine Eemil Erholtz’s gaze turns to the other side as Finland turns the game towards Sweden’s end.
Brother Matti Vittasmäki passes the puck to Erholtz at the red line. Erholtz takes possession of the puck, looks up again and sends the puck to the full speeder to Henrik Bogström. Borgström escapes through the drive and scores the goal.
Erholtz was again the Lions’ best when Finland lost to Sweden 2-4, and the 23-year-old winger from Mikkeli was one of the Lions’ biggest surprises in the Karelian tournament.
Puck expert Ismo Lehkonen also got excited in TV5’s halftime studio when the conversation turned to Erholtz.
– He has played all these changes and all these games even better than in Ässi. When he transfers this experience from here – that speed, tempo, one-on-one play and that quick puck transfer to the League – it’s going to be a great season, Lehkonen declared on TV5.
With your own strengths
Erholtz showed in the Karelian tournament that he can play any role. His skating is of high enough quality for the international level, and his dueling toughness is starting to be enough against bigger and stronger players.
Erholtz was also able to make insightful decisions on the puck. He still saw room for improvement.
– I was able to use my own strengths, but a few times I was on the field when the opponent scored, Erholtz commented on the tournament.
– Some puck solutions could have been improved. You just have to be able to fight even better if you want to get more results, he continued.
Erholtz has improved in recent seasons.
He has been in the Ässie’s score chain this season and captured 4+6 power points in 19 regular season matches.
For this season, he has tried to develop his shot.
– You have to be able to develop it further. General strength and fighting toughness have developed over the last couple of years.
To the World Cup?
Erholtz has been the best of the Aces this season in the SM league. Now he has been able to use his strengths in international games as well. Petri Saarelainen / AOP
Leijon has a role available for the spring World Cup. Marko Anttila ended his career and left a gap in the quad chain.
Thanks to the displays given in the Karelian tournament, Erholtz is definitely underlined in Jukka Jalonen’s papers.
– This role was definitely the right one and one that I can apply for, Erholtz stated.
Erholtz played quality hockey in the Karelian tournament Juha Jääskän with. The duo’s chemistry fell into place from the beginning.
– Jääskä is a really hardworking player. He can pass, but also score goals. The puck came to me too, Erholtz praised and continued:
– We played a simple game with the guys from the working class.
Leijonat won only one match in the Karelian tournament. In addition to Sweden, it lost to the Czech Republic.