Kim Strömberg is one of the toughest players in the playoffs. Returning to the top of the league was not easy.
Kim Strömberg is one of the most effective players in the playoffs. Tomi Natri / AOP
- Kim Strömberg rose from Mestis back to the League Star Guard.
- The 34-year-old striker leads KooKoo to the next bronze medal game.
- Bronze would be a huge achievement for KooKoo.
KooKoon Kim Strömberg34, is arguably one of the toughest players in the league playoffs.
The striker has scored four goals in 15 matches and made nine assists. Four of the hits came in the semi-finals against Tappara.
The balance entitles the league to the third place in the playoffs.
– We had a good chain Ville Meskanen and Samuli Ratisen with. It’s been good to play. Even superiority has worked better. That’s how points come, Strömberg says modestly.
The path of the KooKoo deputy captain to this moment is curly.
Strömberg once arrived in the League with the status of a young promise. He went through the junior national teams and knocked out 39 power points in 28 matches in the A-Junior Championship League in his final season.
In his first league season in Tappara, the striker scored 12 + 13 in 56 matches. However, the level varied. In the 2011-2012 season, there were only six points.
Strömberg went abroad for four seasons, from which he returned to SaiPa in 2015.
His career was declining. Autumn 2018 began in Mestis. From there, Strömberg moved to Kouvola via Denmark.
In KooKoo, the veteran rose back to the League’s elite. He scored as many as 50 points in the period 2019–2020.
– The biggest thing is that I’ve always believed in myself. I have not given up. Through work, I have received credit from coaches. I have proven that I can still play at the top level.
Last year went to SHL, but Strömberg wanted to return to Kouvola. He says he invested in training.
There were 37 points in the regular season.
– I knew that KooKoo has a good mood and the place is definitely good for me. Great that KooKoo was still interested. It was a good decision to come back.
Injuries
Strömberg succeeded in scoring against Tappara. Jaakko Stenroos / AOP
KooKoo’s battle for the final place in the Finnish Championship League ended on Thursday, when Tappara won the match and the semi-finals series 4–1.
For KooKoo, however, a place in the bronze game is a big achievement. For the first time in its main series history, the team reached the semifinals this season.
– The loss is annoying, but I’m really proud of the guys. We played great and were able to play a good game in the Tappara series as well. From time to time we shook them. Tappara deservedly took the win.
Tappara scored two goals undercutting on Thursday and received multiple attacks with two zeros. KooKoolla had a problem with the match, but the mistakes were fatal.
Strömberg does not explain the blunders by force majeure.
– Those were the moments when you shouldn’t get your own goals. Should be much stiffer. Tappara is a professional gang that punishes for such mistakes.
KooKoo has suffered serious injuries in the playoffs. Defenders Sam Lofquist, Petteri Nikkilä and Eero Teräväinen are all at the end of the yard.
Borrowed from his master Kalle Loponen was alerted back to KooKoo’s cry.
– There is no denying it is visible. But the series was not caught in injuries. We were replaced by young and hungry guys. Riku Tuomola pulled just fine, Loponen also, Strömberg says.
Motivation on the pin
Strömberg returned to its old points pace in 2020. Vesa Pöppönen / AOP
Next, KooKoo is facing a bronze game. There will be either Ilves or TPS.
The people of Turku lead the semi-finals series 3–1.
In many cases, a bronze match is a forced bun for disappointed teams. For KooKoo, playing bronze is instead a matter of pride.
– It’s a big deal for us. It would be great to end the season with a win. There is definitely motivation.
The time of the bronze medal is not yet known.