Oula Palve opened up about his sports transfer background: “I thought I would go to a place like this…”

Oula Palve, 34, played his first match for Sport on Saturday. Sport lost at home to HIFK after overtime with a final score of 2-3.

This was also Palve’s first match of the season. He played in Sport’s second line with Viljami Nieminen and Philip Granath. Palve played nearly 18 minutes and did not register any points.

– It was quite nice to play. We were close to winning for a long time, but unfortunately we lost. It was nice to play again, Palve tells SuomiKiekko after the match.

Sport led the game in the final period, but HIFK managed to equalize in the last minute. In the end, two points went to Helsinki with a goal from Jake Leschyshyn in overtime.

– We could have played a bit better while in the lead. We messed up the end a bit. But otherwise, I think we played a pretty good game, Palve states.

Palve also opened up after the match about the reasons that brought the experienced forward to Vaasa.

– I don’t know how many playing years I have left. So I thought I would go to a place where there is probably a big role available and I could play a lot and be helpful to the team. It’s a big challenge to come to this place. This is a big season.

Palve mentions that he had some other options for this season’s playing location. However, he only started actively looking for a new team a bit later.

– I decided not to make a contract during the summer, but to take it easy and see, Palve says.

Negotiations with Sport progressed relatively quickly in the end.

– We kicked the tires a bit on both sides, and then it was settled pretty quickly. It didn’t take too long in the end.

Palve finally outlined Sport’s goals for this season.

– First of all, to stay in the league and then to make the playoffs. Those are probably the goals, Palve concludes.

Joni Alatalo

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