Tommi Miettinen shuffled HIFK's lines - two top reinforcements from the sick bay included

HIFK plays its first match under new head coach Tommi Miettinen on Friday. The team faces Kiekko-Espoo away starting at 19:30.

For Miettinen’s first match, HIFK receives two significant reinforcements from the injury list. Forward Niko Huuhtanen and goalkeeper Hugo Alnefelt are returning to HIFK’s lineup.

Huuhtanen is placed directly into HIFK’s first line alongside Daniel Mäkiaho and captain Iiro Pakarinen. Jere Somervuori, who played in the first line against Lukko on Tuesday, will move to the third line with Eetu Liukas and Jake Leschyshyn.

Miettinen has made other changes to the forward lines as well. Vincent Marleau moves to center the second line, flanked by Sampo Ranta and Lassi Vanhatalo, who has been promoted from the third line.

Lauri Sinivuori, who played center on the second line in the previous match, is marked this time as the 13th forward. Atte Joki will move up to the fourth line alongside Anttoni Uronen and Ottoville Leppänen.

Aatu Karjalainen, who played in the fourth line on Tuesday, will be completely left out of the lineup.

Miettinen has not made any changes to the defense. All three defensive pairs continue in the same compositions as against Lukko, and David Nemecek remains as the seventh defenseman.

Returning to the lineup, Alnefelt will guard HIFK’s goal on Friday. Olof Glifford will serve as the backup. Vili Varonen will be left out of the lineup.

HIFK’s lineup against Kiekko-Espoo:

Daniel Mäkiaho – Iiro Pakarinen – Niko Huuhtanen
Sampo Ranta – Vincent Marleau – Lassi Vanhatalo
Eetu Liukas – Jake Leschyshyn – Jere Somervuori
Atte Joki – Anttoni Uronen – Ottoville Leppänen
Lauri Sinivuori

Linus Nässen – Jesper Ahlroth
Aron Kiviharju – Lukas Pilö
Ilari Melart – Kasper Puutio
David Nemecek

Hugo Alnefelt (Olof Glifford)