Comment: Finland’s home games ended in disappointment – the blunt level difference raises concerns

Finland-Czech Republic 0–6

To tears it ended.

The girl lions succumbed to the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals of the World Cup home games in Tikkurila, Vantaa with the score of 0-6.

Finland was the opponent in the match. The level difference between the countries was revealed to be big.

So big that the Ice Hockey Federation has a place for serious consideration. Something must be done.

The poor result of the home games cannot be dismissed with a shrug.

Thursday The Czech Republic fell on top right from the first change. Just the goalkeeper Kerttu Kuja-Halkolan great saves somehow kept Finland in the game.

Czech frame kit Adele Fromova scored the first goal in 4:59.

After that, there was no doubt about the winner.

The Czech Republic was capable of pass chains, which Finland did not see a single one of in the match. The head coach Mira Kuisman the team was relying on counterattacks.

Another one at the beginning of the batch Magdalena Felcmanova scored 2–0 with the superiority of two women.

Veronika Hujova slipped between three Finnish players and released Linda Vocetkovan pass through: 3–0.

In the third period, the Czech Republic scored two underpowered goals behind Kuja-Halkola’s back during the same understrength.

The frame of the Finnish game was disappointing.

The biggest the concern is the skating, shooting and passing skills of the Finnish players in relation to other European countries such as Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Japan was the only country that Finland was able to beat at the Games. I struggled with that too. Japan led the match after two sets. Finland won 4–2.

Against Sweden, Finland survived until extra time, until the western neighbor decided the victory with their individual skills.

The USA crushed the Girl Lions 5–0. Finland shot seven times in the match.

Few Finland’s players made an impression in the games, in addition to goalkeeper Kuja-Halkola.

Defender Elli Sole was stout in the back lines. Captain Abigail Byskata continued to fight. Striker Yenna Kolmonen flashed his skills on the puck.

The head coach Kuismaa, 37, has been considered a rising coaching name in Finnish women’s hockey and perhaps in the future the head coach of the Lionesses. He has grown towards that.

Now his shares are not very high.

Kuisma started at the helm of Tyttöleijonien in 2018. Under his leadership, Finland has won two bronze medals, but the last three games have ended empty-handed.

Kuisma’s jacket might be empty.

But the biggest problems are at the grassroots level of girls’ hockey. Getting enthusiasts to join the sport has proven to be difficult.