Latest Red LineReport
Jan 24, 2004 14:22:03 GMT -5
Post by BadCompany on Jan 24, 2004 14:22:03 GMT -5
World Junior Review. Could this Petteri Nokelainen guy be someone to keep our eyes out for?
www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/woodlief/2004-01-22-woodlief_x.htm
And from Hockeys Future, a review of the Finnish team:
At first the two caged youngsters Tukonen and Nokelainen looked completely alike, two fast and strong wingers wreaking havoc everywhere. Closer examination revealed that, oversimplified, Tukonen was the one with the offense and Nokelainen with the defense. Nokelainen had the chance to play with Filppula and Bergenheim, which offered him more offensive opportunities than expected. It was certainly not all for the good of the rookie, as his surprisingly mature defensive game and effective grinding helped the two older stars a lot. He did lose his powerplay time to Tukonen, but soon became the team's go-to-guy when the penalty box was manned by a teammate. His puck skills were still too undeveloped to be effective at this level, but once he is no longer handicapped by his age, the numbers will be there.
Incidently, here is what he saif about Korpikari (who looked all right to me, in the one game I saw him play):
A member of the solid core with Lepistö, Kalteva and Kantee, Korpikari did everything he could to help the goalie with his strength and good positioning whenever he was on the ice. His shoulder injury in the game against Ukraine cut his tournament short, but fortunately his loss didn't prove as devastating to the team as it could have.
www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/woodlief/2004-01-22-woodlief_x.htm
And from Hockeys Future, a review of the Finnish team:
At first the two caged youngsters Tukonen and Nokelainen looked completely alike, two fast and strong wingers wreaking havoc everywhere. Closer examination revealed that, oversimplified, Tukonen was the one with the offense and Nokelainen with the defense. Nokelainen had the chance to play with Filppula and Bergenheim, which offered him more offensive opportunities than expected. It was certainly not all for the good of the rookie, as his surprisingly mature defensive game and effective grinding helped the two older stars a lot. He did lose his powerplay time to Tukonen, but soon became the team's go-to-guy when the penalty box was manned by a teammate. His puck skills were still too undeveloped to be effective at this level, but once he is no longer handicapped by his age, the numbers will be there.
Incidently, here is what he saif about Korpikari (who looked all right to me, in the one game I saw him play):
A member of the solid core with Lepistö, Kalteva and Kantee, Korpikari did everything he could to help the goalie with his strength and good positioning whenever he was on the ice. His shoulder injury in the game against Ukraine cut his tournament short, but fortunately his loss didn't prove as devastating to the team as it could have.