by Finland coach Antti Pennans agrees.
“Of course this will help us,” he said. “We understand more about the tournament lady and how we prepare. I have coached a lot of these tournaments and I understand how difficult it is to change some tactical things or players’ habits, so I think this will help us a lot. Olympic Games are a year (gone), so many things happen for that. “
Although the United States Finland, on Thursday in Montreal, defeated, it was a 2-1 match that entered the third period. Finland then scored an impressive 4-3 overtime victory against Sweden in Bell Center on Saturday before he lost to Canada on Monday.
From start to finish of the 4 nations face-off, Finland played with pride. It played with goal. It played with passion. Monday’s match against Canada was a perfect example. Despite the following 4-0 halfway through the third period, Finland finished strongly with ruthless play and three late goals, including two with the goalkeeper, to make a 4-3 match with 1:17 about it.
Sidney Crosby’s empty neat goal with 56 seconds left, the game brought out of reach.
“I am really proud of how we played, how we fought,” said Barkov. “In general, every day, wearing the national team jersey, clothes from national teams and simply near these guys was here. It is one of those tournaments that I will remember for the rest of my life. “
Canada coach Jon Cooper described Finland in a simple way.
“You can go to every tournament, and they always seem to be a team that probably never gets the respect they deserve until they are in the final,” said Cooper.
Finland always hangs around. Finland is known for its discipline playing style and it has become its identity. It also helps that Finland has always had secretly goaltents over the years.
“They can frustrate you,” said Cooper. “You have to fight because of your frustration because of how disciplined they play. They have always hidden the center, so you have to stay patient because the games (against Finland) are always close.
“If the game is up to five minutes and you are tied up, it is a coin flip that will win the game and they are really good at that. And they have some players with offensive doll, so you have to love the power play. “
As Finland leaves the 4 countries, it will concentrate on a better result in Italy next winter.
“They are really impressive, especially for a country that can be produced small in the population to produce the hockey players they do, and to have that specific identity to find a way to get it done during tournaments, “Cooper said.
