World Cup of Hockey Preview: Team Finland
Earlier today we completed our Group A previews for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey. So far, we have looked at Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe and Team USA.
Now, we’ll move on to Group B, beginning with Team Finland.
Group B:
Team Finland
Team North America
Team Russia
Team Sweden
When rosters were announced, there were two Chicago Blackhawks players on the roster for Finland. But an early summer trade sent Teuvo Teravainen to Carolina, leaving defenseman Ville Pokka as the only Hawks (IceHogs?) rep on this roster.
ROSTER
Forwards:
Sebastian Aho, Karpat (FIN)
Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Joonas Donskoi, San Jose Sharks
Valtteri Filppula, Tampa Bay Lightning
Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild
Erik Haula, Minnesota Wild
Jussi Jokinen, Florida Panthers
Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild
Leo Komarov, Toronto Maple Leafs
Lauri Korpikoski, UFA
Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets
Jori Lehtera, St. Louis Blues
Teuvo Teravainen, Carolina Hurricanes
Defensemen:
Ville Pokka, Chicago Blackhawks
Jyrki Jokipakka, Calgary Flames
Sami Lepisto, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
Esa Lindell, Dallas Stars
Olli Maatta, Pittsburgh Penguins
Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo Sabres
Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks
Goaltenders:
Mikko Koskinen, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
All games played at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. All times below are EST.
Round-Robin Schedule:
Sunday, Sept. 18 – Team North America @ Team Finland, 8 PM, ESPN2
Tuesday, Sept. 20 – Team Finland @ Team Sweden, 3 PM, ESPN
Thursday, Sept. 22 – Team Finland @ Team Russia, 3 PM, ESPN
The top two teams from the round robin advance to the semifinals, which will be single elimination on Sept. 24-25. The final round is a best of three series with games being played between Sept. 27 and Oct. 1.
S Lepisto……really?
Was one of the best defenseman in the KHL. Other than him the oldest d-man on the roster is Vatanen at 25, Jokipakka turned 25 a week ago. Then its Lindell at 22, Pokka 22, Maatta 22 last week, and Ristolainen. Young but talented
It’s been pointed out in some circles that Ville Pokka will now play in his 2nd big international tournament ahead of Dallas prospect J. Honka.
I realize Lindell is on the squad and ticketed for the Stars top 6, but it is nice to see a Hawk prospect rate higher than a Stars 1st rounder and blue chipper in Honka.