My Final hockey trip of the year, saw me visit Finland for the first time. I was expecting it to be cold, being November, but not this cold with temperatures as low as -6 during the day. Even the locals were caught off guard when the country was under 2 feet of snow when I arrived last Monday. Normally it doesn't arrive until January so it caused some problems with traffic and with possibilities of train disruptions [delays and cancellations] that could affect my plans to travel around the Southern part of the country. Thankfully as it turned out there was no issues with public transport and after an easy night off on the Monday [No hockey games were scheduled] I made my way to the Hartwall Areena to watch the Country's biggest team, Jokerit!
Tuesday, November 08, 2016 - Jokerit v Amur 3-2 SO - KHL
Back in 1996, Whitley Warriors' fierce rivals, Durham Wasps, were bought by then Newcastle United owner, Sir John Hall and were moved to the City where they were re-branded the Newcastle Cobras.
Having lost around £2 Million over the two years of his experiment with a 'Newcastle Sporting Club' Hall handed the operations over to the British Superleague, who were forced to take over the struggling franchise. They were re-named the Riverkings ahead of the 1998-99 season, and after another year to forget, they finally found a buyer to take over the team in the shape of Jokerit.
The Helsinki-based club were giants in the Finnish league and thought it was a good opportunity to get a foothold in the British game, by owning one of the franchises. Several Finnish players arrived on Tyneside, as well as then, little-known coach. Jukka Jalonen.
Jalonen was in charge during that first season of Jokerit ownership, and was still there the next year when the team was re-named Newcastle Jesters. A fitting name as 'Jokerit' is Finnish for 'Jesters'. Both teams had the same Jersey colour scheme and even the same logo. But, with costs of running a team in the ludicrous Super League escalating, the team folded during 2001.
Since then Jalonen, has gone on to forge himself a rather successful coaching career. He was the first coach to lead Finland to a World Championship in 2011, while his five year stint in charge of the National Team saw him earn bronze medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and at the World Championships in 2008.
Amazingly, Jalonen is only the second coach to win both a IIHF World Championship and a IIHF World U20 Championship. The first coach to do so? Canada's Mike Babcock.
The UK is still light years away from traditional hockey nations like Canada and Russia, but it speaks volumes to think two of the most successful coaches in the World once plied their trade on Tyneside. Jalonen with Newcastle Riverkings/Jesters and Babcock with the Whitley Warriors. That is impressive by anyone's book.
After leaving his post with the National team in 2013, Jalonen has been coaching in the KHL, first with SKA Saint-Petersburg and currently with Jokerit.
Before I set off for Finland, Whitley's current player-coach, and England's most successful hockey player, David Longstaff told me to 'Say hello to Jukka for me. He tried to sign me for Jokerit once, but I went to Sweden and signed for Djurgardens instead.'
I suspected it would be difficult to get anywhere near close enough to Jukka during the game, and I was right, sorry Lobby, I did try.
Jokerit's Hartwall Areena, is located just to the North of the city centre with Pasila Bole train station conveniently close by, and the first stop after leaving Helsinki station, meaning any train heading North out of the capital will stop there. Even better than that, was the fact at the end of the platform is a tunnel which leads you straight into the Arena car park, meaning you avoid being outside in the freezing temperatures. What was weird however, was the tunnel was full of snow! quite how snow can make its way inside an enclosed walkway like that is anyone's guess.
I didn't think obtaining a ticket would be too difficult, and I was right. The Kassa/Ticket Office was the first building you notice after you exit the tunnel. I could have chosen tickets, pretty much anywhere I wanted to in the Arena, but I was planning to meet my friend Hanna in the Eteläpääty [fan section], so got tickets for the South Stand. It's unreserved seating, but all the fans stand, sing and cheer all through out the game, whilst waving flags and getting behind the team.
Hanna, has been coming to Jokerit games since 2008 and travels to a lot of the road games, especially against Baltic rivals, SKA and Dinamo Riga. Along with her friend Katja, Hanna helped me out with some of the fan traditions during the game and even pointed out how the announcer over the PA system was saying things in both Finnish and English. Normally, English is never used at the Arena, so I can only guess they knew of my attendance and wanted to make me feel welcome.
During one of the intermissions, all of Jokerit's teams from the various age groups of their junior development programme, as well as their Alumni teams went out onto the ice for a team photograph. It looked impressive seeing that many blue shirts out on the ice and can only imagine the photograph was equally so.
Talking of impressive, the Hartwall Areena, is probably the nicest facility outside the NHL. With a capacity of 13,506 it could certainly pack a lot of fans in for big games.
The game itself was a cracker. Amur took the lead just 96 seconds into the game when Tomas Zahorna finished Kristian Kuusela's pass, but Jokerit put that disappointing start behind them when American Brian O'Neill set up Danish Captain Peter Regin to tie the game at the 12:26 mark. Three minutes later and O'Neill was the one finding the net after good work from Jesse Joensuu and Arturs Kulda.
Jokerit held that lead until deep into the final period. But following some nervy play by the home side, it always looked like the team from the far-east of Russia were going to be let back into the game. That happened with less than nine minutes remaining of regulation when Vladislav Ushenin was on target for Amur.
The game's momentum kept swinging from one team to the next, but with a goalless overtime having came and went, we had a shoot-out.
Both teams scored from their first shots, Pekka Jormakka for Jokerit and Vyacheslav Ushenin for Amur. O'Neill then stepped up for the Finns to score what would prove to be the game's winning shot as he beat Juha Metsola.
Amur [using both their goal scorers from the game] couldn't solve Ryan Zapolski with their final two shots, while Joensuu's saved effort didn't matter as Jokerit ground out a hard-fought win.
It was a great advert for KHL hockey and after the game Shoot-out hero Zapolski, personally thanked me for coming along to the game. A touch of class rarely seen in other sports.
Wednesday, November 09, 2016 - Pelicans v HPK 5-2 - SM Liiga
With the snow getting worse, I was panicking I wouldn't be able to get a train to Lahti, or worse I wouldn't be able to get one back to my hotel in Helsinki after the game. As it turned out, the trains were running perfectly fine.
The train ride North was great, with the scenery of endless pine trees covered in a dusting of snow.
I took a commuter train which took about an hour and 15 minutes, but that allowed me enough time to have a look around the town, before heading to the harbour which was recommended to me by my friend Emma, a Lahti native and life-long Pelicans fan.
Aside from the wonderful view of the half-frozen lake, straddled by more snow-topped forests, Emma told me to go to the Kahvila Kariranta café to try the coffee and the cinnamon buns there. As I got towards the harbour I noticed the sweet smell of warm cinnamon in the air, and decided to see what all the fuss was about. Got to say, I was pleased I did, as it was great advice and was the perfect place to go to, pre-game to keep warm.
With time ticking by I decided to head towards the Arena to see if I could secure my ticket before it sold out.
Pelicans were playing HPK from nearby Hameenranta, so it was something of a local derby game, and it was expected that it could sell out. After a brief stop to check out the Salpausselka Ski Stadion [the venue will play host to the 2017 Nordic World Ski Championships in February], I tried to access the ticket office, but was told it didn't open for another 2 hours, by a very helpful guy in an expensive suit, who I imagine had to be someone important.
I was advised to find a bar called Ravintola Iloinen Kulkija, which sold tickets to Pelicans games. I didn't much fancy the walk across more snow-covered roads, or cutting across a huge park to get there, but didn't have much of a choice.
Once I found the place, I realised it was a proper hockey bar, with re-runs of the full NHL game between Toronto and Los Angeles from the night before, on several big screens.
With the ticket for the game now sorted, I had time to enjoy a relatively cheap beer, by Finnish standards, whilst watching the game on the T.V.
By the time the game finished I had just enough time to get back to the Arena as the doors were opening to the fans and then a look around the team store before getting to the fans section, where I was meeting my friends Emma and Laura.
Both have been coming to Pelicans games for years and travel all over Finland to watch their team in action, and offered for me to join them with the rest of the passionate fans.
Now, I have watched hockey all over the world, USA, Canada, Russia, Czech Republic, Latvia and the UK, but no country has as much passion for the sport as the Finns, and in particular Pelicans have the most passionate fans of the lot. There were a lot of similarities between the fans and those of my local soccer team Newcastle United, and that might have played a part in my affinity for the team.
Lahti, the town where Pelicans play, translates as 'Bay', which also tied in well with my other Hockey team, the Warriors, who are also from a Bay.
Pelicans made a great start, scoring their first goal just 55 seconds into the game when Nico Manelius was set up by Iikka Kangasniemi.
Justin Hodgman, a firm fans favourite who even has his own song, was making a comeback and he capped a fine individual performance, when he made it 2-0 after good work by Captain, Antti Erkinjuntti.
There was even time for a penalty shot, 46 seconds before the end of the period, converted by Taavi Vartiainen, after he was hauled to the ice, when clean through on goal.
It was a very impressive opening 20 minutes by the home side, and one I was already believing was down to me being there as neither Emma or Laura was expecting that kind of response from their team.
HPK were terrible as much as Pelicans were good, but they had to step it up in the second period and they did. Lahti did well to stop their opponents from pulling a goal back, as HPK had a number of chances to find the net but could find no way through, Jonah Voutilainen who played an excellent game between the pipes.
It looked as though HPK would find a way back into the game, but then Hodgman scored his second of the night, to finally kill off all hopes of a HPK comeback. Antti Erkinjunti was excellent in the build up play once again. While, Juhani Tyrväinen scored another 15 seconds before the end of the second period to give the Pelicans a 5-0 lead. Erkinjunti fed Tyrväisen for his third assist of the night.
With the game all but over, HPK decided to turn up and play in the Third period.
Philippe Cornet brought his side some semblance of hope, when he scored 50 seconds into the final session, but Pelicans, held firm after that, and despite giving up another goal, this time to Severi Sillanää, with just over three minutes left to play, the home side skated off with the win and the local bragging rights.
After the game Laura told me 'how cool' she thought it was that I had travelled all the way from England to watch a game of Hockey in Finland. Well I guess that's what you do when you are a self confessed Hockey nerd eh?
Thursday, November 10, 2016 - HIFK v Assat 2-4 - SM Liiga
HIFK's arena, Helsingin Jäähalli, was just a short tram ride away from my hotel so it meant I had plenty of time to check out places before the game started. First stop was the 'Hockey Corner' shop, which stocked various IFK, Finland and NHL team jerseys.
Next was the ticket office, and after thinking I was getting a reasonably priced 25 euro ticket for a seat at center ice, I ended up having to pay more like 38 euros, but I couldn't fault the position of the seat, right in the middle of the media section. There was even access to a bar too.
HIFK bare a lot of resemblance to CSKA Moscow, not just because of their similar team colours. The arena's have a similar layout and both are historically very important teams.
The home side started brightly with Lennart Petrell giving them the lead with just 1.47 on the clock, and Micke-Max Asten getting the assist.
Petrell's line with Asten and Thomas Nykopp-Åsten worked well and they looked HIFK's most potent threat. Jarno Karki, tied the game at 8:43 but HIFK re-took the lead at 13.13 when Petrell scored again. Daniel Grillfors one-timer from the blue line was re-directed by Corey Elkins into the path of Petrell, who grabbed his second of the night.
The second period started badly for HIFK, when Assat defenseman Valtteri Viljanen scored just 46 seconds in and the game gradually slipped away from the home side's grasp when Tommi Paakkolanvaara netted three minutes into the final session. HIFK were forced to pull their goalie but with 62 seconds left of the game, Assat's Jere Seppälä slotted into the empty net to seal the game.
Maalivahdit
37 Niklas Bäckström
30 Kevin Lankinen (varalla)
Hyökkääjät
21 Mika Partanen - 85 Mikael Johansson - 10 Roope Hintz
51 Juha Jääskä - 91 Corey Elkins (A) - 11 Saku Salmela
19 Janne Hämäläinen - 62 Robert Leino - 27 Henri Tamminen
45 Micke Åsten - 80 Thomas Nykopp - 32 Lennart Petrell (C)
Puolustajat
43 Miihkali Teppo - 8 Daniel Grillfors (A)
42 Teemu Eronen - 2 Matt Generous
3 Joe Finley - 33 Tommi Taimi
47 Juuso Salmi
Friday, November 11, 2016 - Tappara v Ilves - SM Liiga
The longest commute I did from Helsinki, was to Tampere. Finland's second city is a real hot bed of hockey, with two sides, Tappara and Ilves sharing the main Tampereen Jäähalli. It just so happens the two were due to meet while I was in the country, and decided to head there instead of to Hameenranta to watch HPK take on Karpat.
Tampere is also the home of Finland's Hockey Hall of Fame, located within the city's museum complex. It's very impressive too, with various trophies, jersey's and artefacts chronicling the history of the game in the country. Within the museum is the Hall of Fame with photographs of Finland's most famous players. It's almost like a who's who of hockey, with the likes of Jari Kurri, Esa Tikanen and Teemu Selanne adorning the walls, as well as Jukka Jalonen and Teppo Numinnen.
There was enough time to try the 'beat the goalie' in a shootout before heading to the arena. FYI nailed a 60% shooting accuracy haha!
With my ticket bought in advance, I didn't need to worry about the game selling out, which it did.
Tappara were slow out of the blocks and Ilves took advantage of that, racing into a 3-0 lead with goals 8 minutes either side of the first intermission. Markus Jokinen, Ville Meskanen and Tapio Laakso gave the 'visiting' Ilves team a commanding lead by 23:16.
Henrik Haapala pulled a goal back for Tappara less than three minutes later, but at that stage it seemed nothing more than a consolation. However, when Jukka Peltola netted with just under 10 minutes remaining, the designated home side suddenly had a foot hold in the game.
There was a sense then, that Tappara were going to tie it up and send the game into overtime. With 90 seconds remaining they called a time out, with the goalie heading off to the bench, and leaving an empty net for the extra attacker.
With 30 seconds left, Henrik Haapala passed to Teemu Nurmi, who in turn found Veli-Matti Savinainen who controlled an air-bourne puck into the net. The Arena erupted, before the goal was reviewed by video replay, as there was some dispute as to whether it was high-sticks.
With the crowd awaiting the outcome, the tension started to build before finally the officials decided the replays were inconclusive and so the original on-ice call stood, we had a tied game.
With little time left, the game headed to overtime, and by now there could only be one winner. The momentum was truly with Tappara now and so it was just a matter of time before they stole it.
With 29 seconds left before we headed to a shoot-out, Haapala recorded his third point of the night to feed Savinainen, to score his own second dramatic goal of the game and give his team the bragging rights in this exciting Tampere derby.
Saturday, November 12, 2016 - KooKoo v Pelicans 2-3 OT - SM Liiga
My original schedule was due to see me watch Espoo United play SaPKo Savonlinna in the Mestis League [Finland's second tier of hockey], but I had enjoyed my time in Lahti and watching the Pelicans so much earlier in the week, I decided to follow them for their road trip against KooKoo.
Based in the tiny town of Kouvola, there wasn't much to do before the game, so while waiting for the ticket office to open I watched as the Pelican's team bus arrived at the Lumon Arena. I even managed to grab a selfie with Minnesotan Defenseman Ben Blood as he carried his kit bag inside.
Soon after the Pelican's supporter's bus arrived and having met up with Emma and Laura we headed off to the nearest bar we could find. The first one was closed, but a bit further along the street we found a place that served beer, so as families were quietly tucking into their dinner, in burst a bunch of hockey fans singing songs.
In the bar I got to meet some more of the Pelican's fans. Eemeli, Joonas, Jouni and Rauno plus many others, all made me feel welcome and part of the travelling fans.
On the way back to the Arena, I was taken onto the supporters bus for more drinks. A very large bottle of Finnish vodka was passed around before I realised I still needed to get my ticket. So I headed off to the Arena and somewhere between going through security and making my way to my seat, I lost the ticket. I spotted where the Pelicans fans were and joined them.
I have watched hockey in many countries around the world, but no where has made me feel more welcome than Pelicans Lahti. The Finnish fans are the most passionate too and I don't think they could believe I had travelled all the way from England to watch their team. Rauno even ended up giving me his scarf!
The first half of the game wasn't great, but at 33:19 Terry Broadhurst broke the deadlock for KooKoo. It was disappointing, to go behind, but I had faith the Pelican's could turn it around.
I didn't have to wait long, barely two and a half minutes had passed when Antti Erkinjunti tied it up. Both his line mates Justin Hodgman and Juhani Tyrvainen combined to set him up.
Early in the final period Pelicans took their first lead of the game when Hannes Bjorninen scored. But as the period went on they started to play more nervy and it came as no surprise when KooKoo levelled through Juha-Pekka Haataja with just 3 minutes of the game remaining.
That meant the game was going into overtime and now there was a real worry KooKoo might take the points, especially with leading scorer Iikka Kangasniemi missing after getting injured the night before in Mikkeli.
Overtime had barely started though, before it was all over. Just 14 seconds in fact when Justin Hodgman scored from a pass from his captain Erkinjunti. Pasi Puistola getting the second assist.
It was a perfect moment to end a week of fantastic hockey and one I will never forget. I said my goodbyes to my new found friends as they boarded their bus for the short journey back home to Lahti and I headed back to the train station.
Perhaps the best moment was what Laura said to me when asking if I will come back some day to watch the team again.
'You have to come back, you're one of us now.'
Indeed I am!
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