Mikael Granlund and Anton Lundell sidelined from practice - this is how Antti Pennanen commented

MILANO.

The Lions practiced on Monday after a day off.

The unfortunate news was that Anton Lundell and Mikael Granlund were missing from the team’s roster. Lundell had already missed the Italy match due to illness. Now Granlund has also dropped out.

Head coach Antti Pennanen commented on the situation after practice.

– Out, but probably in tomorrow. Both, as it stands, Pennanen said.

Pennanen was asked what measures have been taken to prevent further illnesses.

– I won’t comment on any internal matters.

Pennanen also did not want to comment on whether the entire team is still in the Olympic village.

– Still, I won’t comment on confidential matters.

Pennanen agreed to elaborate a bit more on the day off.

– Everyone has taken a personal day off and spent time as they wished, Pennanen said.

– Probably everyone wanted to take it easy. A pretty intense first week. I was checking out the sights of Milan and spent a lot of time by myself.

The Lions will play their quarter-final in the so-called second arena on the western edge of the city of Milan. The arena is a temporary solution and has been built in the exhibition center. Almost all other men’s hockey matches have been played and will continue to be played in the new Santa Giulia arena on the other side of the city.

– Really good conditions to play Olympic hockey, it won’t be held back by that.

Pennanen was asked if the facilities are bare.

– Not a problem at all. The conditions don’t bother us.

The Lions’ opponent in the quarter-finals is the winner of the Switzerland-Italy match. There wasn’t much comment yet about Finland’s opponent.

– A sweet game for sure for both teams. I haven’t thought much about Switzerland-Italy yet, but it’s definitely sweet. Now we are going to play hockey properly in every way.

Jaakko Perttilä
X: @JaakkoPerttila