In Friday’s World Cup match, Legionnaires beat Hungary 7-1.
Radis joins Sami Hofren, Teemu Suvinen and Ville Touro, who follow the world championships at the site.
Sami Hofren
hero of the night
Mikko Rantanen showed off his extraordinary list of game-making skills in Friday’s honors. All three of Rantanen’s introductions to the Lions’ goals were little works of art. Through a power play, through a dazzling spin-o-rama break, and through a delightful play with an upper hand. Rattanen has also risen to the top spot in the game’s supply exchange with a power of 0+7.
Mikko Rantanen scored 0+3 against the Hungarian brothers. Photo: Eva Valtokari/Amulehti
it worked
After a slow 40 minutes, Lizonat engaged fourth gear, and that was enough for him. The level differences between individuals were such that Lilliputians such as Hungarians should fall into clear numbers. In terms of games, Legionnaire didn’t do anything spectacular. Seven different goal scorers is definitely a good thing for the Legion going forward.
it went in the notebook
So many things, when the match between the Lions and Hungary was a goal game after two sets. The final set was quite a four-field landslide from Legion, but before the draw phase, offensive play was long stretches of sloppy pushing and solo attempts.
Now let me explain…
After nearly a week off, Jussi Olkinoura, who returned between the posts, was at fault for Hungary’s only goal. Peruskuti was so hot that once the Hungarian goal song was heard in the Nokia Arena.
The last sentence
Now we go to the lightest stage of the first block. Hungary and Saturday’s opponents Austria are clearly the weakest group in Group A in terms of level. These games on sunny weekends are little more than goal-scoring practice for Legion.
Teemu Suvinen
hero of the night
Joel Armia was on top of the game. The Porilla striker showed off the soft hands he was known for against Hungary before turning into a ruthless workhorse in the NHL. Despite being outnumbered, Armia performed brilliantly through the pass. In Legion, he enjoys having a larger and more active role.
it worked
Until now, Legion’s number one superiority had taken up most of the Legion’s superiority time, but now the second five also got the responsibility. The Superior Five, led by Joel Armia and Antti Suomella, looked even more dangerous as the match progressed. Even the men of the first rank were a huge success, a good sign for the Legion.
it went in the notebook
At the Lions’ home games in Tampere, the cradle of ice hockey, there must be a humiliating situation where small Hungarian fans take over the home sanctum of the Finnish national team. But now it happened. The Hungarian crowd gathered in the Upper Stand booed, sang, danced and shouted throughout the match, while the home crowd only seemed to meow from time to time. Downhearted.
The Hungarian fans had a melee throughout the Games. Photo: Eva Valtokari/Amulehti
Now let me explain…
A Finnish family of four was brutally crushed to death by Hungarians in the stands of the Nokia Arena. For some reason, tickets for families with children were sold out in front of a large number of Hungarian fans. There he stood, dressed in his Lions fan clothing, while Hungarian fans sang and shouted in front and behind him. Definitely a memorable experience in its own way.
The last sentence
Jukka Jalonen began to respond to the Lions’ blocking attack and led to a series change, where Joel Armia and Kasperi Kapanen switched places. In the third set, the new series seemed to be working like a model, although Hungary was already out. Created by Harri Pessonen, Juho Lamiko and Armia, the series is already familiar from previous games. In the second series, the combined play of Kapo Kako and Kasperi Kapanen could work. Both of them have played fresh in this tournament.
city tour
hero of the night
Mikko Rantanen has not yet reached the core of his game, and the goal balance still shows zero. Still, this guy leads Legion’s point exchange with 0+7. In the match against Hungary, Rantanen again put in a considerable clincher from time to time.
it worked
Hungarian fans are the best group of fans in Tampere. Even in this match the hall occasionally echoed with Hungarian applause. The Ice Hockey Federation has not granted Legion’s unofficial fan group its own fan status. At Finnish matches, the home crowd atmosphere is similar to that of the NHL: there is no major fan audience, so it can be mouse-quiet at times. On the other hand, when the audience gets excited, the whole hall may get involved.
it went in the notebook
Although Lijonat eventually cruised to a sovereign crushing victory, it was not a solid performance overall. The Finnish team was in trouble for two sets. Especially opening the game and launching attacks is very lame.
Now let me explain…
In the Hungarian goal, Veli Balijs fell in a non-playing move and after scoring a goal, water was splashed in the face of Kapo Kakko during a stoppage of play that had already been broadcast in the second period. I think the Hungarian goalkeeper was begging for blood from his nose. In the third set the same man was able to dig the puck behind him.
The last sentence
The Hungarian match was actually a two-sided affair for Legion. Two rounds of special pain again, in the third a change of ecstasy in the eyes. This performance really didn’t remove any question marks around the team.
