Finnish SM-Liiga

[GoHawks 0]

Hey, I'm kinda keeping track of the SM-Liiga standings, but it's a little difficult since I don't speak Finnish. Now it's the semi-finals, with

Jokerit - HPK (Jokerit is up in the series 1-0)

Blues - Karpat (Karpat is up 1-0)

end of reg. season point standings are

1.Karpat (115 pts.)

2.Jokerit (111 pts.)

3.HPK (102 pts.)

5.Blues (92 pts.)

With Tappara, Ilves, and HIFK knocked out in the first round (i'm missing one team, can't find which one).

Keep an eye out for Tukka Rask, a 19-year-old Finnish goaltender who put up very impressive numbers, and while doing his mandatory military service until the start of 2007 makes it all the more impressive. I've seen him play a couple games, and he's pretty impressive.

I am thinking it will be Jokerit - Karpat in the final, with Jokerit taking the championship 4-2. Both are strong teams, so the games should be pretty good!

[Incarnation 0]

Where are you from? It's nice to see that there are some people abroad who are interested in our SM-Liiga!

[GoHawks 0]

I'm from the US, Iowa to be more detailed, but I'm studying this year in Helsinki at TKK. Are you from Pori? I ask because of the Assat avatar.

I'm a HIFK fan, and I heard Karalahti got into some trouble. Saw the hit, heard he threatened someone and got fined. Can you tell me what that video is about? (I'm assuming you speak Finnish :D )

[hocckey77 0]

Are there any sites where you can watch these games?

[GoHawks 0]

YouTube has some highlights, but I don't know how current they are...

There's a clip from the playoffs match between HIFK and HPK. Karalahti got ejected, and a 3 game suspension for that hit. Now it might be out of context, I wasn't at that game, but I think that was a little harsh. What are your thoughts on it? (Karalahti ended up threatening someone, i've had someone translate it to 'you better watch your back' and got a 5000 euro fine. Again, I may be out of the loop, since I don't speak the language. Maybe a Finn can help clear it up)

[Incarnation 0]

Yes, you got that right. I'm an Ässät fan. B)

Karalahti clearly kneed Vihko and the penalty was fair. I wasn't surprised when I heard Karalahti's comments and that he got fined, but anyway this whole thing is little bit ridiculous. Karalahti made himself an idiot with his comments but League overreacted too by fining Karalahti.

Fines are some kind of new way of discipline for SM-Liiga. At least it looks like that, for HPK coach Jukka Jalonen got fined too when he criticized the referee after a playoff loss.

By the way, HPK player Janne Lahti is one hell of a playoff warrior. He has now scored 7 goals in 7 games (2 game-winning goals) in this years playoffs.

[GoHawks 0]

Do you know how badly Vihko was hurt on that play? Is he back in the playoffs, or is he out for the rest of the games?

Tonight's games:

Blues 2 - Karpat 3

HPK 1 - Jokerit 2 OT i think

making Karpat and Jokerit both 2-0 for this series (best of 5 I believe)

for anyone else that's keeping tabs.

Incarnation, I've also heard that Stapleton has been doing really well for Jokerit. His hometown is pretty close to where I grew up :) now if he could only get on HIFK...

[Incarnation 0]

Do you know how badly Vihko was hurt on that play? Is he back in the playoffs, or is he out for the rest of the games?

Tonight's games:

Blues 2 - Karpat 3

HPK 1 - Jokerit 2 OT i think

making Karpat and Jokerit both 2-0 for this series (best of 5 I believe)

for anyone else that's keeping tabs.

Incarnation, I've also heard that Stapleton has been doing really well for Jokerit. His hometown is pretty close to where I grew up :) now if he could only get on HIFK...

I think Vihko is out for rest of the season.

HPK - Jokerit game was quite a marathon, for the game lasted 93 minutes and 28 seconds. Quite good game in every way: lots of scoring opportunities and hitting, excellent goaltending and passion.

Stapleton has been excellent too. He has scored 5+3=8 points in 6 games in the playoffs. He has been much better player than anyone expected and I think Jokerit will have hard time if they want to keep him. So don't expect to see him in HIFK next season... ;)

[flahockey 0]

Sorry to change the subject, but...

What kind of player is Cory Murphy? I know he had a great season with HIFK, won the SM-Liiga MVP and recently signed with the Florida Panthers. He's drawing comparisons to Brian Rafalski (I assume because Murphy, like Rafalski, was a top offensive defenseman in Finland before going to the NHL).

But what kind of style does he play? Strengths? Weaknesses?

GoHawks, Incarnation -- any thoughts?

[Incarnation 0]

Sorry to change the subject, but...

What kind of player is Cory Murphy? I know he had a great season with HIFK, won the SM-Liiga MVP and recently signed with the Florida Panthers. He's drawing comparisons to Brian Rafalski (I assume because Murphy, like Rafalski, was a top offensive defenseman in Finland before going to the NHL).

But what kind of style does he play? Strengths? Weaknesses?

GoHawks, Incarnation -- any thoughts?

Comparing him to Rafalski isn't exaggerating in my opinion. They are very similar players, but Rafalski might be better in own end because of his NHL experience.

Murphy actually surprised me with his reliable play and I got an impression that he thinks defense first. He's a small guy but sometimes he played quite physical game. His defensive game is based on excellent decisions and positioning.

Good hands, accurate long passes when needed and very accurate but not so hard wrist- and slapshot.

In general, he's very smart player who knows when it's the right time to defend and attack.

[henkka 0]

Jokerit - HPK 4-0 (3-0 in games) jokerit advances to finals

Kärpät - Blues 3-2 OT (3-0 in games) kärpät advances to finals

[GoHawks 0]

Alright, who do you think will win the finals? Is it best of 7 games (I think it is, but I'm not 100% on that?) I watched some of the last Jokerit-HPK game on Nelonen, and I think Jokerit is looking very strong. Their style of playing is very aggressive, and they play that style very well. Always forechecking and backchecking, there's always pressure on the puck. I think they'll take it 4-2 (assuming it's best of 7)

[Incarnation 0]

Alright, who do you think will win the finals? Is it best of 7 games (I think it is, but I'm not 100% on that?) I watched some of the last Jokerit-HPK game on Nelonen, and I think Jokerit is looking very strong. Their style of playing is very aggressive, and they play that style very well. Always forechecking and backchecking, there's always pressure on the puck. I think they'll take it 4-2 (assuming it's best of 7)

It's best of 5. That's a shitty way to play playoffs in my opinion.

It's hard to say which team will win. Goaltending is quite even, but rather I'd count on Riksman from Jokerit. Jokerit has more aggressive and physical offense, while Kärpät relies on skill. Their defensive play is as even as it gets.

Jokerit is also better in front of the opponent's net.

So I think that Jokerit will win. I have no sympathy for their organization, but I'd like Riksman to win, for he got so close with Ässät last season (lost the finals to HPK).