He left a winner and 9 months later he´s back as a winner ! It was sheer delight from the first whistle on, Tim Thomas who left HIFK only nine months ago, with a fresh NHL contract in his back pocket, returned after a disappointing stint as a backup goalie for Edmonton´s farm club. An equally warm welcome hasn´t been seen since, fan favourite, Mika Kortelainen returned from his feud (and benchment) with the management last season. With a some luck and support of his teammates Tim shutout Ässät and was elected the MVP of the game.
In my last column, after the disgraceful exit from the EHL, I said there was no hope left with six days left to the trading dead-line. How wrong was I ! GM Kekäläinen has yet again proven his wits and connections in the hockey world. Getting Thomas back could be the last piece in the puzzle of winning two in a row. I wish I was wrong six days ago.
Signing Jamie Baker was another example of Kekäläinens skills. Jamie, I hope I´m right, has got the ability to become another decisive player for us on the final stretch. His defensive abilities are known to everybody, who´s been following the NHL for the last five or so years. He´s brilliant taking face-offs and has proven himself in the defensive game. Given the level of competition in the SM-Liiga I´m positive he´s going to be a force offensively too.
THe new arrivals ment that Joe Frederick was cut. Trading dead-line rumours say he´s moving on to SaiPa - we´ll see ! Nothing wrong with Frederick, as such, but I´m, sure Baker and Thomas are better worth the investment !
Getting rid of Lundell and (according to rumours Niklas Hagman too) is a shame on a long term wiev, but the show must go on and HIFK can only survive if we´re succesful enough to meet the demands of hockey today. We might not have the flashiest rink in Helsinki, but we´ve got the best team. And that´s what count - after all.
Tonights game was decided by the sheer brilliance of Jan Caloun 0+4 and the sharp finishing of #33 Markku Hurme. Fourth liners Kimmo Kuhta and especially #78 Kari Kalto, both 1+1, also deserve a mentioning as their performance today left nothing to ask for.
A reshuffle amongst the defenders was succesful. Siren covered well Rafalski´s escapades and Kultanen had one of his better days.
Generally speaking there wasn´t a HIFK player who would have underachieved today, but tomorrow´s a new game.
Tomorrow´s also the last day for roster movement. Rumours bring Marko Jantunen from Frölunda to HIFK and Hagman is on his way to either Blues or Ilves. The most "crazy" rumour trades Caloun for Janecky - forget it ! I hope ?
Mäkiaho-Sihvonen-Tuomainen
Hurme-Nieminen-Caloun
Kalto-Ahonen-Kuhta
Väisänen
Siren-Rafalski
Lydman-Karalahti
Kultanen-Rajala
Stars:
*** Caloun
** Kalto
* Thomas