Mikko Rantanen’s relatives enjoyed their final trip to the Stanley Cup.
- Rantanen, a native of Ascension, is watching the final series in Denver, the hometown of Colorado Avalanche.
- The championship will be interrupted for the first time with a 3-1 lead to Colorado in Denver in early time on Saturday morning at Finnish time.
Hannu and Hannamaija Rantasen in addition, are included in the trip Mikon sisters Laura and Noora and Hannamaija’s mother with her husband.
– We have a family like this here, Hannu Rantanen describes.
The troupe has seen all the matches in the final series at the Avalanch home in Ball Arena.
The first two were Colorado home games and both wins. The next two were away matches in Tampa, and Avs fans filled the arenas of Ball Arena in them as well.
– Looked at the screen. No tickets were sold to the upper auditoriums, but otherwise the hall was full, Rantanen says.
– It was a good idea, even if I came to my head once.
Hannamaija and Hannu Rantanen photographed in the autumn of 2018 at their home in Nousiainen. Vesa Parviainen
Rantanen also praises the atmosphere in hot Denver and especially in the home games of Avs.
– It is quite calm in the city, but it can be seen and heard that people are talking about Avalanches. Of course, the other big sports – basketball and other American football – are ahead here, but hockey has certainly raised its head.
– There is a huge amount of money in the hall. It cannot be properly explained, it must be experienced for yourself. There is a good mood in the regular season as well, but this is 2.0 more. Yes, it is so icy, Rantanen admires.
– The team creates the atmosphere of the game without any slaps. The whispers sway and there is sound.
Mikko is praised
Avs fans with emotion create a great atmosphere at Denver’s Ball Arena. AOP / USA Today Sports
Rantaset has been allowed in the hall to discuss his son’s performance.
– We’re hanging out Family ID around the neck, and on break breaks we get to a room with other players close by. Some also recognize us as random. Yes, we have been able to talk to Miko when curious about things, Father Rantanen says.
– Time in peace, though, no bigger hype.
People’s comments about Miko have warmed the parents ’minds.
– Americans are always happy and outgoing. They like to praise, and yes Mikko has received a lot of praise for being a good player and a smart young man.
Such feedback and Mikko’s playing a big role in the Stanley Cup finals makes the loved ones proud.
– Yes, it is undeniably so. It’s really great and great to be here, Hannu Rantanen says.
– It was decided in good time that if they go to the finals, they have to go on the spot to watch the games. This kind of situation will never happen again. You have to take a moment and arrive, because yes this is a thing worth experiencing. There was a definite desire to be present.
– It may be here, but hopefully it will happen again.
Rantanen’s party has also had a chance to meet Mikko.
– We’ve been in touch with the handset after he’s been to Tampa, and we’ve had dinner with Mikko during the intermission between home games. It has been nice and relaxed.
Matching tension
Mikko Rantanen has celebrated the goal in the playoffs with the familiar Timo Nummelin violin fan from Turku. AOP / USA Today Sports
It is not possible to get a full picture of the atmosphere in the hall via TV.
– It’s great to watch on TV, but the atmosphere in the hall is something indescribable. It takes time to go, and it has a sense of being involved as well. Of course, we are on our own side, and the excitement also catches us close to Mikko. We’re in trouble here.
Also Avs’ second Finnish striker Artturi Lehkonen close ones are present.
– They have been beaten with them after the victories.
The frenzy of winning
Colorado dropped out of the sequel to the previous three seasons in the second round of the playoffs, even though it has been one of the few major championship candidates in the last two years.
When Avs now broke its second-round curse at the expense of St. Lous, it eased the team mentally.
– I think it has looked good after overcoming those difficulties.
– Even when the team went to the playoffs, I understood from Mikko’s speeches that they had learned a certain way. After all, games are never won with preliminary speeches, but the charge and the fire of winning within the team is extremely hard, Hannu Rantanen assures.
– The frenzy of winning is the biggest thing. I am proud to have watched their progress to this point.
The realization of the dream is – or still – one victory away.
– It remains to be seen how it will end and who will take it. Better win, Hannu Rantanen says well.