Petri Matikainen's firm response to JYP's "greatest weakness"

JYP’s last season was a mixed bag. The team had a strong regular season, but the momentum slowed down a bit as spring approached. In the first round of the playoffs, the hurricane jerseys surprisingly lost to Pelicans 0-3.

SuomiKiekko asked JYP’s head coach Petri Matikainen what JYP has learned from last season.

– We faced a bit of a reality check in the spring. We learned from last season how we need to operate to move forward as an organization. We have a clear thread on how we play, how we are, and what things are important for us to succeed, Matikainen says.

One of JYP’s biggest problems last season was goaltending. Oskari Salminen‘s save percentage in the regular season was 88.7 and Oskari Setänen‘s was 89.0.

JYP’s biggest weakness has not been addressed over the summer. Does that worry the coach?

– Do you notice that I am not commenting on your statement in any way? Matikainen laughs.

– I really believe in Salminen, Setänen, and our young guy Hannibal, that is, Otto Hannikainen. For them, taking steps forward will come through failures and successes. You will see that we have a really strong goaltending trio this season.

JYP’s team turnover has remained low. From the big names, Sami Vatanen, Jere Lassila, Santeri Huovila, Leevi Tukiainen, Valtteri Ojantakanen, and Alexander True will continue in Jyväskylä next season as well. New additions to JYP include Harri Pesonen and Reece Newkirk.

– We have managed to keep our core players together nicely. Then we have received interesting reinforcements for certain positions. I believe that our team is more balanced. The competition for playing spots is really tough. We have extra forwards and defensemen who can just be thrown into the lineup, Matikainen says.

This upcoming Liiga season has higher stakes than ever. The three weakest teams will drop to the B-league at the end of the season. Matikainen is not shaken by the super season.

– It’s no different than before. Of course, the stakes of an individual game are bigger than before. I can assure you that the game will become more viewer-friendly all the time. It will be a so-called game war. The pace will be enormous. I noticed that already in the practice games. It will be interesting to see how each team manages to grind through 64 games, whether there will be big slumps in between or not, Matikainen reflects.

– I will also say that it may be easier for the coach to coach because the stakes of a single game are bigger than ever before.

JYP will start its season on Saturday, September 5, with an away game against Kärpät.