Finnish globetrotter says about the medals:"You just gotta get them all!"

You had a good preparation for the quarterfinals in your last game against the Russia. Were you satisfied with it?
Yeah, with the result yes. But the Russians came up really strong in the beginning, took a 2:0 lead.  Then we fortunately pulled ourselves together and overturned it. We performed pretty well in the second period and also in the overtime.

Russians got probably the most dangerous offensive. Did you have some special preparations during the practice?
Russians got a lot of experience in the offensive and a lot of speed. They are tough to defend because they are also huge guys who are not afraid to play physical. They always skate a lot and we knew there´re going to be some hits. You have to prepare for the pressure mostly in your mind.

You are going to face Norway. They never got to quarterfinals before. Are you looking forward to playing against them?
Absolutely. Even though the biggest rivalry stands between Finland and Sweden this is going to be a kind of a derby. We know that Norwegian are determined and even though they don´t have three of their best players here they still have got so far. So we must not underestimate them.

In the qualification round you won two matches in shoot-out. Did you take it as a practice? Do you consider shoot-outs to be your secret weapon?
I´m not sure whether there is a shoot-out in the play-offs.

Yes there is.
So then it´s a good practice. I´m really happy we got those wins here in the qualification round. When you want to win in shoot-out in important games it´s essential you practice it the games before.

What about your last season? You played in Helsinki for Jokerit after a long time spent abroad?
I really enjoyed it back at home. I was away for ten years all over the places you can play hockey – Sweden, NHL and I played a season in Dynamo Minsk as well. It’s been a lot of fun playing back in Finland and I´m loving it.

Pick up a favorite place from the ones you´ve spent a season in.
From those ten years? Oh, that´s a really good poll. I think... it has to be Phoenix or probably Philadelphia.

You played four seasons as a Coyote in the time when they did not get to play-offs.
We qualified once only. But that was a great feeling. All the people in the city and surroundings were following the hockey, which they usually don´t. I also love the place – beautiful place in the dessert.

What do you say about their results nowadays? They qualified for the second time in a row this season.
They´ve been playing really good. Obviously I´m really happy for them all. I wish they would stay in Phoenix because you know they´ve been some talks about moving the organization to Winnipeg or somewhere else. I really hope it won´t happen and I´m sure all the players want to stay in Phoenix.

Do you still keep in touch with your ex-teammates?
Just a few actually. It´s been a while since I played there and there were so many changes that the teams are completely different right now from the times when I was playing there.

Where do you intend to play next season?
I have a deal with Jokerit. I signed for two more years in December so I´m not moving out so soon.

Would you like to return to NHL one day?
You never say never.

You don´t have a Stanley cup.
No, furthest we went for the second round.

What about your representation career?
Well... This is my fifth world championship. I already have a medal for the second and the third place.

So you´re still missing the gold one.
Yeah. You know – you´ve gotta get them all! I hope so, but it´s still far away. I really hope so. That would be great.

Do you enjoy atmosphere in town?
I love it here. The atmosphere is great. We´ve been downtown with the guys for a couple of times to see the city and we liked it. It´s nice.

Do you think the atmosphere will change now when Slovakia is kicked out?
I hope not because it´s been really good. Especially when the Slovaks and Czechs were playing. So loud.   

Next two championships are going to take place in Sweden and Finland. Are you looking forward to it?
Absolutely. Sweden and Finland are like Slovakia – hockey is really big in our country. Everybody follows it, it´s a huge event like I know it is here. So it´s gonna be exciting.

 

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