Aron Kiviharju returned to HIFK’s lineup – opened up about difficult injury periods

Sport and HIFK met on Saturday in Vaasa. The match ended with HIFK winning in overtime with a score of 3-2.

HIFK’s defensive prospect Aron Kiviharju, 20, returned to the lineup after a month-long injury. He told SuomiKiekko after the match that the game was balanced and important for both teams, as neither had accumulated too many points in the early part of the season.

– Both teams have played reasonably well. Both knew that the stakes were high. A really high-quality hockey game and probably entertaining for the audience as well. We have to give props to the home crowd for the great atmosphere here today, Kiviharju states.

Sport was still leading the game in the final moments. HIFK thought they had equalized, but the goal was disallowed for kicking. Moments later, however, HIFK managed to tie the game and eventually win in overtime. Kiviharju highlights the team’s resilience.

– We were quite shaky. The team deserves credit for that. Our problem has perhaps been earlier that we get a bit paralyzed when the opponent scores first. Now we stayed strong until the end. A big growth for the team.

Kiviharju managed to play two games at the beginning of the season before his injury. On Saturday, he returned to the rink after about a month off and immediately collected two assists. Kiviharju logged over 21 minutes of ice time.

– It felt excellent, of course. We do this work to be able to play. It’s always tough to watch from the stands when the team is losing and you want to help, but you can only support the guys mentally. It was nice to be back on the ice today.

Kiviharju describes being sidelined due to injury as mentally challenging, but in that situation, you have to find other ways to support the team.

– At that point, my job is to bring positive energy to the locker room, and even if we lose games, I still try to keep the atmosphere up. That’s practically the only contribution I can make. And then on my part, I need to get that injury, whatever it is, back to health as quickly as possible, Kiviharju says.

Kiviharju’s career has been overshadowed by injuries. In his first season with HIFK, his games ended already in the fall after seven matches due to an injury that required surgery. Over time, Kiviharju has learned to handle the absences caused by injuries better.

– That first bigger injury, which happened when I came to Helsinki, I didn’t really know how to handle it back then. Of course, it’s human, as I was only 17 at the time. But experiences teach. They are not always pleasant, but you learn from them.

Kiviharju now sets his most important goal to stay healthy. At the same time, he believes that both his own and the entire team’s game will improve as the season progresses.

– When the team plays well, individuals can also stand out. I believe we got a big win for us mentally today, Kiviharju states.

Joni Alatalo

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