A surprising revelation from Antti Pennase behind the scenes of the World Cup arena

Zürich

Latvia-Finland 1–7 (1–3, 0–1, 0–3)

Lions beat Latvia by 7–1 on the World Cup ice on Thursday.

After the crushing victory, the head coach Antti Pennanen told bad news. A winger who started in the triple chain Eemil Erholtz dropped out of the lineup mid-match.

Erholtz’s place was replaced in the middle of the match by the 13th striker Janne Kuokkanen.

“Erholtz got injured, so there was really no other option. It would seem that this event is over for him,” announced Pennanen.

The Lions’ defense was still missing a defender Urho Vaakanainen. The game condition of the injured Vaakanainen is still a mystery.

Pennanen revealed that Leijonat is inviting a new player to the World Cup to replace the injured Erholtz.

“We have the list ready. We first need to find out who will replace them before announcing tomorrow’s line-up.”

Arrived at the World Cup venue on Thursday Konsta Helenius will play their first match on Friday against Great Britain.

Pennase already has the plans clear in which chain the 20-year-old top promise of the Buffalo Sabers will play.

“We have a plan ready, but you will see it tomorrow.”

NHL stars Mikael Granlund played his opening match of the tournament against Latvia. Granlund collected one assist point for the Lions’ 5–1 goal.

“Mikke played a good hockey game. However, he came yesterday and played today, such a hard and good performance from him,” praised Pennanen.

Granlund played the captain in the opening match Alexander Barkov leading in the first chain.

“They were able to create a few good chances, and could have scored a few goals. Professionals both.”

The four chain unexpectedly shined as the lions’ zip chain.

Normally plays in a more defensive role Hannes Björnisen chain, on the sides Saku Mäenalanen and Walter Mereläscored three goals in Latvia’s net.

“They have played well. When players of that size get a little closer to each other in the offensive zone and are able to stay on the puck, it is difficult to play against them,” characterized Pennanen.

Thursday the match started strangely. Latvia got off to a great start when they took the lead after only 10 seconds.

Despite the shock platform, Leijonat left no ambiguity about who was the master of the rink. Pennanen didn’t have to worry on the bench when the team performed and played in a model way.

“I felt very calm and confident all the time, as it has been all along. Of course, the first 20 minutes were such a fast attack together that it was pleasing to the eye,” described Pennanen.

Lions scored goals at a steady, deadly pace.

“We played really well for the whole 60 minutes, except for the first change. A lot was good and all four chains had successes, so that warms the heart.”

Latvia’s goal positions were really on the cards throughout the evening. Pennanen calculates that during the entire tournament, Leijonat has not given many scoring opportunities to the opponents in a draw.

“In the 5-5 game, no other team except the USA has had many chances to score against us. The Yankees got chances from the losses, but otherwise they have remained below five,” Pennanen said.

“Today they took a little too much ice, so underpowered they had chances, but our underpowered and superior power is in good shape.”