We’re pausing! At least until December 19, hockey will not be played! The leadership of Finland’s top hockey competition decided to take such a step in view of the deteriorating coronavirus situation in the country. This also applies to Czech hockey players, in the current year thirteen of them hit the local top league.
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Patrik Bartošák is one of the Czechs working in Finland.
Vesa Moilanen, ČTK / AP
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Until now, hockey matches in Finland have been attended by spectators, albeit in limited numbers. However, local authorities have tightened measures in the country due to coronavirus, and clubs have agreed that playing without spectators is financially disadvantageous for them.
Therefore, the SM-Liiga is suspended from 3 to 19 December. Wednesday’s match Ässät Pori – Kouvola will take place, another match today, Jukurit – Jyväskylä, has been postponed. And there will be no playing for the next seventeen days. Alternative dates will be announced by the competition management later.
| Czechs who intervened in Finland’s top competition this season: |
| Goalkeepers: |
| Lukáš Dostál (Ilves Tampere) |
| Patrik Bartosak (Lahti) |
| Dominik Hrachovina (Tappara Tampere) |
| Defenders: |
| Lukáš Klok (Lukko Rauma) |
| Jakub Galvas (Jukurit) |
| Libor Šulák (Fly Oulu) |
| Michal Moravcik (Tappara Tampere) |
| Attackers: |
| Jiri Smejkal (Tappara Tampere) |
| Rudolf Cerveny (Lahti) |
| Michael Špaček (Tappara Tampere) |
| Simon Stransky (Jukurit) |
| Radek Koblížek (Fly Oulu) |
| Ondřej Roman (Ilves Tampere) |
| Note: Lukáš Dostál was pulled over last week by Anaheim, from where Tampere was a guest in Ilves. |
“During the autumn, we did a lot of work to ensure the safety of the public, players and employees at matches. Unfortunately, now the viral situation has worsened in several regions, so the new restrictions are understandable. However, it is not financially possible for us to play without spectators, “explains the decision of the Finnish top hockey league, the chairman of its board Heikki Hiltunen.
“We believe that the measures will bring the situation under control quickly and we will be able to continue. The intention remains to play the whole season, “added Hiltunen.
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