The Finnish Hockey League is currently buzzing with activity, reflecting the seasonal excitement and competitive spirit as coaches and players maneuver through the challenges of the league. One of the most significant recent developments involves former player turned coach, Jonne Virtanen, who is preparing to leave his position as head coach of Mestis team, Tuto, following the current season.
Virtanen's departure has been rumored within hockey circles, and according to the Finnish publication IS, the 36-year-old coach has already confided to various parties he will not continue at Tuto next season, though he has yet to publicly confirm the move. He remarked, “Minulla on sopimus (Tuton kanssa),” which means, “I have a contract (with Tuto),” indicating his current commitments even as he considers his next steps.
Tuto had announced back in December 2023 their intention to extend Virtanen's contract, which was set to run until the spring of 2026. Nevertheless, reports suggest Virtanen is actively seeking new opportunities, including potential roles with SM-liiga teams, with JYP being one of the clubs he's reportedly engaged with. Last season, Virtanen led Tuto to their best finish in five years, placing fifth in the Mestis regular season, but faced early playoff exit against Kiekko-Espoo.
Meanwhile, another notable figure is Anton Levtchi, who plays for Swedish team, Luleå. Recently, during a match against Jönköping's HV-71, Levtchi found himself at the center of controversy after inadvertently scoring an own goal. The circumstances surrounding the goal took on heightened drama when it was disallowed by the officials. According to Aftonbladet, Levtchi’s reluctant error occurred during the second period when Luleå’s net was empty due to an anticipated penalty against the opposing team.
Levtchi chased down the puck at the other end but accidentally put it past his own goal line. Hence, the goal was nullified following the referee’s ruling, which stated the opposing team's actions interfered with the play. Levtchi performed admirably otherwise, scoring the equalizer to make it 3–3 with just under five minutes left and providing the assist for the game-winning goal in overtime.
The audience's reaction to the disallowed goal was palpable, with protests intensifying when they replayed the incident on the arena's video board. HV-71's head coach, Olle Alsing, expressed his disbelief about the decision: “En tiedä koskiko Jonathan Ang edes häneen (Levtchiin). Olisin halunnut sen olevan maali, mutta meidän oli noudatettava sääntökirjaa ja nieltävä tilanne,” translating to, “I don’t know if Jonathan Ang even touched him (Levtchi). I would have wanted it to be a goal, but we had to follow the rulebook and swallow the situation.”
Meanwhile, excitement was also bubbling over in Porin, where the Ässät emerged victorious against Kiekko-Espoo with a decisive 3–1 win. This victory marked the third consecutive win for Ässät, solidifying their position within the upper mid-tier of the league standings. They climbed from seventh to fifth, now just one point behind Kiekko-Espoo, who previously dominated their last encounter, beating them 7-0.
This most recent triumph is significant for Ässät, who had suffered through challenging performances after their previous encounter with Kiekko-Espoo, where they fell sharply. The match illustrated their determination to rebound and assert themselves within the league, with momentum growing steadily for the Porin-based team. Their strategy and determination made them resilient contenders.
Meanwhile, HIFK faced off against HPK, and the intense battle was finally decided after the shootout, where HIFK triumphed 4–3, matching the league-leading SaiPa on points, albeit with two games fewer played. The day’s events across the different venues highlighted the thrilling nature of Finnish hockey as teams jockey for strategic positioning as the season progresses.
With players and coaches like Virtanen and Levtchi at the forefront of the league events, this Finnish Hockey League season promises to continue delivering drama and excitement both on the ice and off as teams gear up for upcoming matches.
