Six games and only one win. That’s the balance of SaiPa’s last games.
SaiPa’s head coach Ville Hämäläinen is trying to drag the sputniks away from the Liiga’s jumbo place. TOMI NATRI / AOP
Lappeenranta’s puck pride is firmly at the bottom of the league. SaiPa has collected only 17 points in 23 matches.
Sport, ranked 14th in the standings, is already 13 points ahead.
On Tuesday, SaiPa lost at home to Pelicans 2–3, despite already leading the game 2–0.
– When we have lost more than won, it shows in the players. When the guy scored a goal at the beginning of the second period and then the second one, you didn’t dare to pass anymore. Attacking fell short.
– It’s really sad. Winning brings self-confidence, but you have to get those victories first, said the head coach of the Lappeenranta team Ville Hämäläinen.
I’m fine
SaiPa has won only one of its last six games, and that too after winning shots. Losses are often distressing.
– There is nothing wrong with the feel of the booth. By working on this, we will move forward. We have a lot of young players in the team. The aim is to help and develop them into better players.
– There are no gimmicky tricks here, Hämäläinen reminded.
When does the sale start?
Miska Siikonen is the captain of SaiPa. MIKKO LIERI / AOP
SaiPa is very close to the point where it starts giving up its players. That is, to trade or exchange players to save costs. And to save money for next season.
The playoff train has already gone for this season.
– We have no need to sell our players on this date, stated the CEO Jani Valkeapää For Iltalehti in connection with the Pelicans match.
The head coach doesn’t think about it.
– There has been no message from the management that players will start to be sold. It’s none of my business, I coach. Those are other people’s tasks, I can’t bear to think about those things. The best situation is that we start winning games, Hämäläinen reminded.
Iltalehti’s expert Pekka Virtra has his own idea about player shops.
– I can’t estimate the time span, but this is how it happens. They need to get resources for the coming season. They are selling players who are not part of their future. Sales will come if there is something to sell, says Virta.