Team Finland @ Vancouver 2010 Olympics

[Finnish Wing 110]

I noticed that there were threads about the other teams as well so decided to start one about Team Finland too.

Strenghts:

+ goalkeeping

+ coaching

+ team spirit and chemistry

Weaknesses:

- not enough good d-men

- winning the big matches

- no guys who can win the matches by themselves

My opinion of the team and the lineup:

Olli Jokinen - Saku Koivu - Teemu Selanne

Tuomo Ruutu - Mikko Koivu - Antti Miettinen

Jussi Jokinen - Valtteri Filppula - Jere Lehtinen

Sean Bergenheim - Petteri Nokelainen - Mika Pyorala

(Jarkko Ruutu)

Kimmo Timonen - Sami Salo

Joni Pitkanen - Toni Lydman

Sami Lepisto - Ossi Vaananen

(Lasse Kukkonen)

Niklas Backstrom

Miikka Kiprusoff

(Pekka Rinne)

Basically there would be two solid scoring lines, one line with great two-way forwards and this energy line. Defensive pairings all have one guy offensive and the other guy defensive. There would definitely be a great chemistry between the guys in the top lines but as said: no big star players.

I would rank Finland 4th. Losing to the Swedes in the Bronze game (again).

Edited November 1, 2009 by Finnish Wing

[swiss_fan 3]

they are definitively weaker than in the past

[tommingthepuck96 1]

You really think saku will center that first line in front of his brother? I personally see mikko being the first line center.

[Carman 387]

I see them losing to Belarus. They have absolutely no finishers, what are they going to do pass it to each other the whole game? Not mention iffy goal tending and horrible defense. I think the Canada u18 team could shut them out. What an embarrassing collection of talent Finland has available.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

[Yzerfan1999 81]

Yeah, I think Finland will be a decent team, they are pretty deep - but really every one of their lines is an NHL 2nd or 3rd line. They don't really have a 'franchise' player, like many other countries have.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

They're deep and talented, but like others have said they lack a game breaker (Salami was at one point, and might just be one on occasion now too).

They have great goaltending, though.

[Finnish Wing 110]

You really think saku will center that first line in front of his brother? I personally see mikko being the first line center.

Those first two lines would play equal amount of time. The point is that Mikko knows Antti and Tuomo and Saku knows Teemu and Olli. All the same which is the 1st line on the paper.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I see them losing to Belarus. They have absolutely no finishers, what are they going to do pass it to each other the whole game? Not mention iffy goal tending and horrible defense. I think the Canada u18 team could shut them out. What an embarrassing collection of talent Finland has available.

You're just trolling right? Or maybe you're just stupid.

It all comes down to coaching. Many of you stare at the stats too much. For example the coaching USA has in that tournament is nowhere near Finland's coaching. Finland's game will be a lightyear ahead of USA even though the players are not as good.

"Iffy goal tending"? Backs has been the best goaltender in the whole NHL since he game here if you look at the stats. You can argue as much as you like but the fact is that the only two countries challenging for the top goaltending country are Finland and Canada. Not to mention that international games are always different than NHL games. Remember who was the MVP in Torino 06? Antero Niittymaki - has never been a starter in the NHL.

Finland wasn't even in the top 4 in Torino if you look material of players. Still dominated the whole tournament. And I mean dominated. Still, a loss to Swedes in the finals though.

Also, I think that talent available is pretty good considering there are about five million people in Finland.

So basically if you know something about hockey you know how big part of it is coaching and the style of playing. You just wait and see.

Edited November 1, 2009 by Finnish Wing

[stactum 4]

I have to agree on pretty much everything OP said, however I think Mikko K will be first line center and potentially wearing C.

What always scared me about team Finland is they can execute their game plan (as they did against Russians in Torino). They may not have scoring other teams will have, but if they stick to the defensive game and limit the number of shots, they may get some counter-attack breaks and win the game with score 2:1 or so. Their goaltending may be on of the best in Vancouver, D isn't deep, but decent. Again, I think Finland could be one of these teams who will execute on other team's mistakes and will be pain in the a.. to play against.

I have a few theories on how teams are matching based on some history and here they are:

...if I'm Canadian - Russia is the team I don't want to play against

...if I'm Finnish - Sweden is the team I don't want to play against

...if I'm American - Canada is the team I don't want to play against

...if I'm Slovakian - Czech Republic is the team I don't want to play against

...if I'm Swedish - Belarus is the team I don't want to play against Just Kidding!

[Finnish Wing 110]

Tuomo Ruutu - Mikko Koivu - Antti Miettinen

Olli Jokinen - Saku Koivu - Teemu Selanne

Niklas Hagman - Jussi Jokinen - Jere Lehtinen

Sean Bergenheim - Valtteri Filppula - Jarkko Ruutu

+ Mika Pyorala

Joni Pitkanen - Sami Salo

Kimmo Timonen - Toni Lydman

Sami Lepisto - Ossi Vaananen

+ Lasse Kukkonen

Miikka Kiprusoff

Nicklas Backstrom

+ Antero Niittymaki

Now don't get me wrong. Filppula is a great player, but also a good defensive player. He has no history in the national team, so I believe he's not going to get a big role. It's possible he's centering the 3rd line though, but I'd rather have that "Dallas chemistry" there.

[Guest mindfly]

Tuomo Ruutu - Mikko Koivu - Antti Miettinen

Olli Jokinen - Saku Koivu - Teemu Selanne

Niklas Hagman - Jussi Jokinen - Jere Lehtinen

Sean Bergenheim - Valtteri Filppula - Jarkko Ruutu

+ Mika Pyorala

Joni Pitkanen - Sami Salo

Kimmo Timonen - Toni Lydman

Sami Lepisto - Ossi Vaananen

+ Lasse Kukkonen

Miikka Kiprusoff

Nicklas Backstrom

+ Antero Niittymaki

Now don't get me wrong. Filppula is a great player, but also a good defensive player. He has no history in the national team, so I believe he's not going to get a big role. It's possible he's centering the 3rd line though, but I'd rather have that "Dallas chemistry" there.

Did finland also announce their roster today? or is that just the ones you would pick?

[FinWing 26]

Did finland also announce their roster today? or is that just the ones you would pick?

The official announcement will be made on Wednesday.

[thedisappearer 291]

Not to hijack this, but this thread will get Scandinavian attention so... Finland usually has a good team. Sweden usually has a good team. Where the hell is Norway? How do I never hear about them? Do they even play hockey?

Also, USA!

[FinWing 26]

Not to hijack this, but this thread will get Scandinavian attention so... Finland usually has a good team. Sweden usually has a good team. Where the hell is Norway? How do I never hear about them? Do they even play hockey?

Also, USA!

Good question. They do play hockey but there's certainly a drop-off from Sweden and Finland to Norway and Denmark.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Not to hijack this, but this thread will get Scandinavian attention so... Finland usually has a good team. Sweden usually has a good team. Where the hell is Norway? How do I never hear about them? Do they even play hockey?

Also, USA!

They can ski like the wind, however.

[FinRedWing 172]

Tuomo Ruutu - Mikko Koivu - Antti Miettinen

Olli Jokinen - Saku Koivu - Teemu Selanne

Niklas Hagman - Jussi Jokinen - Jere Lehtinen

Sean Bergenheim - Valtteri Filppula - Jarkko Ruutu

+ Mika Pyorala

Joni Pitkanen - Sami Salo

Kimmo Timonen - Toni Lydman

Sami Lepisto - Ossi Vaananen

+ Lasse Kukkonen

Miikka Kiprusoff

Nicklas Backstrom

+ Antero Niittymaki

Now don't get me wrong. Filppula is a great player, but also a good defensive player. He has no history in the national team, so I believe he's not going to get a big role. It's possible he's centering the 3rd line though, but I'd rather have that "Dallas chemistry" there.

He shall get one on PK.

Edited December 27, 2009 by FinRedWing

[Marty Barry 230]

ALWAYS!!!

[miksteri 55]

I want OJ off that team ASAP, hes a ****** and usually absolutely useless in international games.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I want OJ off that team ASAP, hes a ****** and usually absolutely useless in international games.

Finland can't afford to dump guys that can produce offensively. We don't have that offensive depth the other countries have.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Tuomo Ruutu - Mikko Koivu - Antti Miettinen

Olli Jokinen - Saku Koivu - Teemu Selanne

Niklas Hagman - Jussi Jokinen - Jere Lehtinen

Sean Bergenheim - Valtteri Filppula - Jarkko Ruutu

+ Mika Pyorala

Joni Pitkanen - Sami Salo

Kimmo Timonen - Toni Lydman

Sami Lepisto - Ossi Vaananen

+ Lasse Kukkonen

Miikka Kiprusoff

Nicklas Backstrom

+ Antero Niittymaki

Now don't get me wrong. Filppula is a great player, but also a good defensive player. He has no history in the national team, so I believe he's not going to get a big role. It's possible he's centering the 3rd line though, but I'd rather have that "Dallas chemistry" there.

There's way too many euros in your lineup.

Honestly, I didn't know Backstrom was Finnish. I thought he was from Sweden since that sounds like a Swedish name.

Edited December 27, 2009 by GMRwings1983

[waitahochiminute 2]

Team Spirit? Are you serious...

[Guest mindfly]

There's way too many euros in your lineup.

Honestly, I didn't know Backstrom was Finnish. I thought he was from Sweden since that sounds like a Swedish name.

Finland was a swedish colony for many many years, there are still areas in western finland that has swedish as their 1st language...and their names are more often swedish than finnish

[Finnish Wing 110]

Team Spirit? Are you serious...

I am. There's never been any big egos in this team and this time is no different. Everyone pulls the same rope and works together.

[dat's sick 1,002]

There's way too many euros in your lineup.

Honestly, I didn't know Backstrom was Finnish. I thought he was from Sweden since that sounds like a Swedish name.

Well we have a Nicklas Backstrom of our own

Finland has a wealth of goaltending talent though.. Niemi, Rask, Rinne, Nittymaki, Backstrom, Kipper etc.

That means they'll be a team to watch even though the rest of their roster isn't as strong as some other teams.