Perspective: Did the flu save Tomek Valtosen?

The Jokers managed to take their first win of the season on Tuesday. The team in the jester jerseys defeated the Pelicans in their home den with a clean sheet of 3-0.

All three of Jokers’ goals were scored on the power play. Alexander Forslund fired the first with a powerful wrist shot, the second was scored by Patrick Curry from a cross pass, and the third deflected fortuitously off Pelicans defender Johannes Johannesen into the net.

The Jokers’ power play was good, but the team owes a big thanks for their three goals to Pelicans goalie Frantisek Poletin. The 18-year-old was surprisingly called up to the lineup when the strong-starting Jussi Olkinuora had to sit out due to illness.

The match was the best defensive performance from the Jokers seen this season. The team succeeded in limiting the Pelicans to few scoring chances and defending the center excellently.

On the other hand, the opponent Pelicans played their worst match of the season. Despite their poor performance, the pelican squad created more expected goals than the Jokers. The jesters still have a lot of work to do on their game.

However, Olkinuora’s illness, three power play goals, and the first win of the season give Jokers head coach Tomek Valto some peace at work, at least for a moment.