The lions received a big thank you from Antti Pennase.
Eetu Liukas played a good WC tournament. PDO
Canada won the World Cup final 3–2 in overtime. In overtime, Finland got the puck to the goal line, but not in the goal. Canada struck the solution on the next attack.
– When I saw the puck spinning on the goal line, I thought that no…, said Ruben Rafkin, and thanked the whole team profusely for a wonderful tournament.
Eetu Liukas was building a great situation in extra time. The hosts saved Mason McTavishwho was able to stop the puck in the air.
– I looked where it was going. The saddest thing is that the goal was so close, the scrappy attacker thought.
Silver is a great achievement. It was useless to try to tell the players that right after the game. Hurt will leave young men’s minds one day.
– How long it takes probably depends on the person. When time passes, I’m sure you’ll understand the value of this medal, Liukas points out.
What did Pennanen say to the team after the final?
– The biggest thing was thanks, what came out of it, Liukas said.
Rafkin and Liukas already tasted silver in the SM league in the spring, when TPS lost to Tappara in the final.
– Yes, these are already starting to appear, Rafkin said.
After the game, many of the Young Lions players were in front of the media with tears in their eyes. The loss took a toll.
Last in 2001
The World Cup tournament was exceptionally played in August, after the corona pandemic postponed the games from the turn of last year. Almost 15,000 spectators watched the final in the home hall of the Edmonton Oilers.
In Edmonton, Finland sought the sixth World Youth Championship gold in its puck history. In the 2010s, Finland celebrated the championships in 2014, 2016 and 2019, but it was time for a silver medal.
The World Youth Championship final loss was Finland’s first since 2001.