Iltalehti’s ice hockey expert Pekka Virta analyzes Finland’s disappointing quarter-final and World Cup tournament.
- Finland lost the World Cup quarter-final match to Canada with 1–4 goals.
- Pekka Virta reminds that the Lions’ starting point for the tournament was unique in Finnish hockey history.
What was the outcome of the match against Canada?
– Finland has previously humiliated an attacking and scrambling team with counterattacks, good defense, good superior strength and good goalkeeping. Now the run of the game started in the wrong direction, when Finland lost.
– Finland came into the game really well and got the upper hand just like in their winning years – for example, in the last games, the upper hand game was 36 percent – so it went a lot according to the plan and in principle the script could have come true. However, the starting point was different, as Canada and all countries respect Finland and study the Finnish way of playing.
The lions had their heads down. In the photo, from the left, Kasperi Kapanen, Sakari Manninen and Marko Anttila. PASI LEISMA
– The game was decided in a way by Canada’s first goal. The so-called Game 7 puck does not include trying so many goals that the opponent can counterattack with a volte output. Finland didn’t do this much, but Canada’s first goal was born out of it.
– After that, Finland got into a situation where they had to score a goal. Finland played really well in the second half and got long attacks and situations on the line. Canada did not set out to dominate the game but acknowledged Finland’s goodness in it, but it was dangerous in counterattacks. Canada’s second goal was really big and took away momentum. Goals control the game a lot, and Finland had to chase all the time.
– The pressure was also against Finland, when it was expected all along that Finland would win.
Can it be said that Canada has given Finland its own medicine?
– Yes, you can. Canada if anyone was playing Game 7 hockey now, and basically Canada’s Game 7 hockey beat Finland’s Game 7 hockey.
– Canada really played percentage hockey. It didn’t go under heavy pressure or head over heels, but agreed to a 1–1–3 trap. It played the area forward, i.e. out of possession, deep from the middle area and the puck behind the pucks.
– Canada waited for its own opportunities and succeeded perfectly.
The Lions only beat Germany, France, Hungary, Austria and Denmark. There were losses against big puck countries, i.e. the USA, Sweden and Canada. How do you sum up Finland’s World Cup tournament?
Pekka Virta wraps up Finland’s disappointing games. Roni Lehti
– Finland applied its own, familiar winning concept quite well throughout the tournament, but it is difficult to play Game 7 ice hockey in a way that pleases the experts and everyone. However, it is based on patience and belief in it, and that was a bit of a test throughout the tournament.
– I’m not saying that it was the world stars’ fault, I mean that it creates its own pressure. Home matches, constant winning and big players put quite a lot of pressure on us to play nicer and better. However, Finland’s winning template is team play and equality.
– The starting situation was unique in Finnish hockey history. Constant winning and general interest brought new challenges. It was a more difficult challenge to play that way. A 36 percent superiority and super goalkeeper play, which Finland has always had behind a good team defense, would have helped a lot.