The first chain hit Kutones in the eye.
The adequacy of the Lions’ center forwards has been considered at the beginning of the World Cup.
There has been a thought about whether the NHL star should Mikko Rantanen will be transferred to central striker at some point, if the team’s game does not start to buckle. This would mean the number one chain Mikko Rantanen–Sakari Manninen–Teemu Hartikainen dissolution.
However, things started to happen in the match against Germany that the threshold for breaking up the number one chain certainly increased. In the third set of the match, especially Mikko Rantanen put on the show as a winger.
– Chemistry was found a little better today. We got longer attacks. “Härski” threw people onto his roof. But we can still do better, Rantanen said.
Although Sakari Manninen scored two goals in the second period, they were not top-notch performances. The first goal came Kasperi Kapanen from the pass and the other with superiority.
– In the first two sets, we got to the offensive zone but not to the positions, Rantanen admitted.
According to Rantanen, the men in the first chain talk to each other a lot and start to understand what each one likes to do on the ice.
Much has been expected from Rantase, and the opening goal of the match against Germany met those expectations.
– I don’t think about the expectations placed on me during the game. Like I said before the tournament, I’m not a magic trick guy. I try to play simply and make the right decisions with the puck, Rantanen said.
Mikko Rantanen (in the background) and Sakari Manninen in foul play in Germany’s goal. Jussi Saarinen
Hartikainen described that the chain put a “tissue in the eye” of the third batch.
– We took control of the corners with “Rane”, and “Mane” was good in the middle. That’s how it should continue to be.
If the first chain continues as it did in the third set of the match against Germany, it will be difficult for the opponents.
– Rantanen is really skilled. Too often I also go too close to help. He seems to be able to come by himself with pretty good hands. You just have to trust that it will come and basically look for a goal spot yourself, Hartikainen said.
– It takes a while to notice what the other can do. In the third, he did magical things. Let the man do it.