NHL player made a comeback – Antti Pennanen revamped the Lions’ lines!
The Lions prepared for the second to last match of the group stage of the World Championships in Sunday morning practice, where they will face Austria at 21:20 in the evening.
In the morning ice, there were again changes to the lines, as head coach Antti Pennanen made new adjustments to the combinations. The most significant change involved swapping Aatu Räty and Anton Lundell – the same experiment was seen at the end of the third period of the match against Britain on Friday.
In the revamped lines, Patrik Puistola and Lenni Hämeenaho will play alongside Lundell. Meanwhile, Jesse Puljujärvi and Sakari Manninen have been placed in Räty’s line.
In defense, there was reassuring news as Urho Vaakanainen returned to morning practice. The defenseman representing the New York Rangers had been sidelined for the previous two matches due to injury but now appears to be available again.
The Lions’ choice of goalkeeper for the evening’s match has not yet been confirmed.
The Lions’ lines in morning practice:
Forward lines
Mikael Granlund–Aleksander Barkov–Konsta Helenius
Patrik Puistola–Anton Lundell–Lenni Hämeenaho
Sakari Manninen–Aatu Räty–Jesse Puljujärvi
Saku Mäenalanen–Hannes Björninen–Waltteri Merelä
Extra forwards: Janne Kuokkanen, Sami Päivärinta
Defense pairs
Ville Heinola–Henri Jokiharju
Mikko Lehtonen–Vili Saarijärvi
Olli Määttä–Nikolas Matinpalo
Mikael Seppälä–Urho Vaakanainen
Read more
- Rasmus Ristolainen’s torment continues in the NHL – yet another terrible setback
- TPS star received a massive ban for biting – TS: Denies the accusations
- A terrible setback for SHL’s Finnish star in Sweden – a long sick leave is looming
- The league’s star defender received a suspension – the disciplinary committee dismissed the explanation
- IL: Jukka Jalonen’s new job was revealed
- IS: HIFK has signed the head coach of a competitor – negotiations are already advanced!
- Urheilucast: Jori Lehterä opened the door for the league’s championship favorite – this will decide everything!
- Lehtitieto: The Liiga club loses its point machine – a new club is already known!
- The Young Lions team announced – now the final performances are given before the World Championship selections
- Jussi Tapola steps aside from the Lions – an experienced name as a replacement