Finland ended the EHT tournament in Switzerland with a 4–3 overtime victory over the host country. Lions’ captain Mikko Lehtonen had a hard time in the second set of the final game.
Mikko Lehtonen had a tough time against Switzerland on Sunday evening. EPA / AOP
When the second half had been played for a good five minutes, Finland’s captain Mikko Lehtonen tickled with a little boy in the rush of the goal by Gregory Hofmann lower back.
It was a mistake.
The Swiss striker got up and hit the Finnish star pack in the face with a cross stick. After the hit, Lehtonen went to the protective suit.
After the match, he told TV5 in an interview what actually happened in the situation.
– A piece of the tooth came off and the lip was open, but that’s part of the story, Lehtonen stated.
“Top performance!”
Lehtonen returned to action during the second period, and Finland won the thriller Jesse Puljujärvi with an overtime goal 4–3. It was the Lions’ first victory at the Swiss EHT.
– Good win. Tight games all. It’s good that we got a win at the end, Lehtonen said about the tournament.
The victory can be considered quite a robbery, because Switzerland clearly won the game. This is evidenced by, among other things, the fact that Finland is in the goal Emil Larmi had to stretch into the path of the puck no less than 35 times. At the other end of Switzerland To Stephane Charlin only 19 booths were recorded.
Lions head coach Antti Pennanen however, was satisfied with the performance of the Lions.
– Top performance! Two-time World Cup finalist ahead and Olympic candidates still ahead, Pennanen reminded in an interview with TV5.
According to the head coach, the victory required above all mental toughness.
– We’ve had a tough week, traveling and everything else.
“top player”
Although Finland won only one match in Switzerland, and that only in overtime, Pennanen saw a lot of success in the Lions’ team. He mentioned a few of them by name.
– Both goalkeepers were good, and Mikko Lehtonen is still a top player in the national team, Pennanen praised.
Lehtonen scored 1+1 in three games in Switzerland and was one of Finland’s leading players, especially in the attacking direction. The Olympic venue must be nearby.
In addition to Larmi, one first-timer was seen between the goalposts in Finland: Walter Ignatjew. He made 17 saves in the match against Sweden that ended in a 2-4 loss on Saturday.
The Lions’ next event is the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February. According to Pennanen, the main focus is now on preparing for the five-ring competition.
– Discussion with the selected players and going through the game and role-playing, Pennanen said.
Under the leadership of Antti Pennanen, Finland has won only two of the six EHT games this season. EPA / AOP