The return of the Jokerit League ended bitterly - now the captain speaks

The long-awaited return of the Jokers to the League was seen on Tuesday in Vaasa, when they faced Sport. The match ended after several twists with Sport winning in the penalty shootout by a score of 5-4.

The captain of the Jokers, Markus Hännikäinen, shared his feelings about the match with SuomiKiekko after the game. He described the evening as positive, except for the result.

– Good atmosphere and a good match. The place was packed, and it was nice to get to play, but of course, the loss is disappointing, Hännikäinen reflects.

According to Hännikäinen, the match of the evening was special, but it did not produce any extra excitement.

– Of course, this game was special, but to be honest, nothing extra. Everyone approached the game smartly and professionally, and there were no excesses. A clean and good match.

There has been much talk about the Jokers’ return to the League for a long time. The general feeling around the team regarding the matter has also been good.

– It’s a shame we lost the first game, but that’s now behind us. Let’s focus on the next game and think about how we can improve, Hännikäinen says.

Hännikäinen himself last played in the League during the 2014-15 season. He played on Tuesday in the Jokers’ fourth line and received 13:39 minutes of ice time.

– Quite fast-paced hockey. It was nice to play, and the atmosphere was good. Personally, there is still a lot of room for improvement. But it will come together, Hännikäinen concludes.

Joni Alatalo