Jalonen looked again from the record at the successful quarterfinals against Germany (4: 1) and confirmed the good feeling he had from the team’s performance.
“We had a good entry. We made a few changes during the first break. We filled the middle of the field well and worked aggressively. We fought great, which I really liked,” said the experienced Finnish coach.
He considers militancy, commitment and dedication to be the basic preconditions for the Czechs to be able to think of success against Canada as well.
“Players have to sacrifice. We’ve blocked a lot of shots, but all players are still healthy. This is very important. Again, it will be about special power-ups and weakening formations, as is always the case in such matches. And we must definitely be great at “In both respects, if we want to succeed,” Jalonen emphasized.
In the morning, he called Toni Söderholm, a compatriot who trains Germans. “He said we were much stronger in personal fights. I felt the same way. Strength, energy, willingness to go into fights, it was all on our side. Things like that are decisive. And we were lucky, too. There were a few windows on the counter “Germans, but it happens. In order to be successful, you also need to be lucky,” he said.
He is pleased that the team is rewarded with a place among the best quartet after a long preparation, but does not intend to compromise on the set goal, which is the title of world champion.
“The journey has lasted for nine weeks, during which a lot of things have happened. Tomorrow we all have to enjoy it. It will be a great evening for hockey. We have to gain physical and mental strength and replenish energy. And of course our goal is victory. minutes and win, “said Jalonen.
He did not follow Canada’s match with the Swedes with a dramatic ending, in which the overseas team won 4: 3 in overtime, even though it had a three-goal deficit after two thirds.
“We have been collecting information about Canada since the morning, my friend has been following it in Helsinki, as well as Germany. We have video coaches, statistics …
The fact that the team is drawn mainly by the first offensive formation of David Krejčí with Roman Červenka and David Pastrňák on the wings leaves him calm.
“We only count winnings. I can’t and won’t criticize other players for not scoring goals. Of course I hope they do, but hockey is a team sport and I only follow team statistics. These are the main thing for me. The team wins, the team loses, not the individuals, “Jalonen emphasized.
It is the elite attack that has a little more room for improvisation in the set system. “They’re pretty good at it. Have you seen those goals in a power play? Who can do this? They have really extraordinary abilities. They give themselves a puck and know very well where someone is moving. At the same time, they still work honestly for the team,” he said. Jalonen.
Robin leads the Canadian scoring tournament. The 36-year-old 2010 world champion scored 14 points in eight games thanks to four goals and ten assists.
“He plays great, but he’s not alone. He has teammates around him, but the whole team. But I can confirm that I like the way he plays. He has experience and he is doing very well as a captain. He is a really great captain,” said Jalonen.
He didn’t want to talk about his own motivation. However, when he took office in March, he was at least a little surprised when Filip Pešán was fired, declaring that the only goal of the national team must be gold.
“I don’t want to look too far. I’m focusing on small steps, I’m not thinking about Sunday now. I’m just focusing on today, then we have another match on Saturday and I’ll just focus on that match. Please don’t try to push me into another answer, Jalonen added with a smile.
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