After the Lions had gold medals around their necks on Sunday on the ice of the Nokia Arena, casual and cheerful players stepped in front of the press.
The Dallas Stars star defender became one of the big solution players Miro Heiskanen, who scored two points in the final. The balance of the entire tournament was seven (1 + 6) power points in six matches.
There were even difficult moments on the way, such as the match against Slovakia, but in the end, Heiskanen was just as important a confirmation for the Lions.
– It was worth coming to this race. Great ending to the tournament. In front of the home audience yet, so what better. I haven’t won anything too much in my career, so this is definitely the best moment of my career, Heiskanen said.
Heiskanen’s prize cabinet previously contained World Cup gold for under-18s.
Heiskanen was involved in many of the finals. Just before Canada’s 2–3-throw-in goal, the Finnish defender was hit with a crossbar towards the Finnish goal post.
Head coach Jukka Jalonen criticized the judges in harsh terms for not punishing the situation. Heiskanen himself wanted to forget.
– It doesn’t matter anymore. It doesn’t matter, Heiskanen acknowledged the situation.
Miro Heiskanen experienced the most amazing moment of his puck career at Nokia Arena so far on Sunday. Pasi Liesimaa
“Privilege”
34-year-old defender Atte Ohtamaa was also winning World Cup gold 2019, World Cup silver 2021 and Olympic gold.
So the man has been involved in building the Lions dynasty of recent years with his own hands. The stomach is not full.
– It’s great to be on the national team, and these wins are amazing and great bonuses on top. But how nice and great it has been to be involved. It is a privilege that I have been part of the team and play in front of a home crowd, Ohtamaa said.
– As long as only the skills are sufficient and selected, there will certainly be interest in the national team in the future.
Ohtamaa knew in advance that the countries hosting the World Cup had not had a very good balance over the years.
– There was pressure, but there is always pressure in the Lion. We were able to enjoy the game. At least my personal feeling was that it was tremendously fun and insane to play. We were getting power from the home audience all the time.
Atte Ohtamaa wants to continue playing in Leijon. Jussi Saarinen
Where is Härski going?
Less than a dozen Lion players were involved from the start of the camp, up to seven weeks. One of them is Teemu Hartikainenwhose season at the KHL Salavat Yulev in Ufa ended when Russia launched an offensive war in Ukraine.
– Incredible outfit. This ended as we wanted. This has been aimed at for quite some time, Hartikainen said.
– When we got the upper hand, I knew we would score a goal. “Manehan” shook it from there. Seven weeks, and now it’s over.
Hartikainen played in Ufa for as many as nine seasons. When the nearly decade-long start in one club comes to an end, it’s an interesting question where the 32-year-old World Cup gold medalist and Olympic winner will go next season.
– It is not yet clear what next season will follow. Now let’s celebrate, and see in the summer what to do.
Hartikainen was asked if there would be any offers from the NHL.
– I do not know. We’ll see. Let’s see in the summer.
There is! Mikael Granlund shot the ball to Teemu Hartikainen, who smashed it into the open goal for the visitors. Pasi Liesimaa