Predicting is easy, but hitting the right one does not write, writes Vesa Parviainen.
Jussi Tapola and Tappara were in my betting line. Elmeri Elo / AOP
Founded in 1993, Hockey Magazine came to an end last December.
In order not to forget the traditional league incest of a meritorious magazine, I do it for my part.
Not because I could brag about my hits, because I can’t afford it. But because it reminds us of which setups we started in the season and how difficult it is to predict the series of the Finnish Champions League in the end.
11 different media puck journalists took part in the betting during the season.
I predicted the order of the regular season 1) Tappara, 2) HIFK, 3) Lock, 4) TPS, 5) Flies, 6) Ilves, 7) KalPa, 8) Pelicans, 9) Sport, 10) Aces, 11) SaiPa, 12) Jukurit, 13) KooKoo, 14) HPK and 15) JYP.
The hits were Tappara and TPS, and the rankings of Flies and Pelicans did not go far. Of the six teams that advanced straight to the quarterfinals, five can be found on my lineup.
That was the success then. I was in the yard at least for the potential of Luko, KalPa, Ace, Jukuri, KooKoo and HPK.
As for the newcomer and best defender of the year, I can say that I was smelling when I answered Joakim Kemell and Vili Saarijärvi.
I have to raise my own tail so much that I say I was the only one who guessed Kemelli. However, with the broken end of the autumn sensational player, the Jarmo Wasama award may well end up in Oulu, either by Ville Koivunen or Joel Blomqvist.
The name of Petrus Palmu, who won the best player Lasse Oksanen award, was not in anyone’s line. I don’t have to be ashamed of my own candidate: Eemeli Finland.
Marek Langhamer, who I called the best goalkeeper, was not as magical as I expected, and Petri Kontiola did not renew the victory of the points exchange in the way I assumed.
Anton Levtch’s paint kingdom surprised all participants. Jarno Kärki, who was in my line, scored 16 goals, the same number as last season, when he was SHL’s best Finnish scorer.
The first to change coach was the JYP I planned, but HPK, and Jukka Ahvenjärvi kept his wash with all honor until the end of the season.
The HIFK championship was the most trusted, and the prophecy can still be fulfilled. Personally, I was the second of two Tappara providers, and there is no need to change the rating.
However, despite my bet, Jussi Tapola will not be chosen as the best coach in the League. That title goes to Olli Jokinen.
You probably guess how many of you could guess this.