Column September
The first six games of the season are played. The new head coach Jarmo Tolvanen had a reasonable start of his first season in the SM-league. With three wins and three losses, Lukko is 7th in the league. It can be said that Lukko is starting to play better. After the first two games against Ässät and KalPa it was clear that the first two lines were not optimal adapted to each other. Jamie Wright moved back to his natural position of left winger and Shayne Toporowski moved to the centre position in the second line. Although still not playing smoothly, both lines are getting in better form.
Right winger Miikka Tuomainen is one of the discoveries of the first month. Although still young he impresses with his physics, speed and hard working. Starting in the fourth line against Ässät, he quickly moved up to the second line. He scored until now two goals and one assist and has +/- rating of 3.
Latest signing Jamie Wright is looking for his best form. He posted four assists so far and no goals although it is clear that his skills add something to Lukko. It is a matter of time before he starts producing more points and is more present in the game.
The third line of Lukko is the same as last year. Hagelberg, Yli-Junnila and Normio are a good triplet. Especially the hyperactive Hagelberg is a tormentor to every team that tries to build up play. Normio had a good season. He scored four points so far, two goals and two assists, and even had the golden helmet for three matches.
In the fourth line, Vainiola and Kauvosaari proved to be the future of Lukko. Kauvosaari scored his only point so far in the match against Ässät by scoring the equalizer. Try-out player Tommi Jäminki did not succeed and left Lukko. He posted one assist. The last two matches Petri Lammassaari got also playing time. Lammassaari is the smallest and lightest player of Lukko but he works hard and shows no fear for his opponents.
The defense lines are not fixed yet. Jarmo Tolvanen is still switching couples also forced because of the injury of Toni Porkka. It reduces the possibilities of Tolvanen in making his defense pairs. Hämäläinen is playing mostly with Bruun in first or second line, while Paukkunen is forming a couple with Lehtonen or Heikkinen. Mäkelä has been moved down to the third defense pair after the absence of Porkka. He plays now with Lehtonen or Heikkinen. Honkaheimo is taking his minutes as a 7th defense man.
Scott Langkow had a difficult start of the season. The first match of the season against his old team Ässät looked inconsistent. Good saves were changed with questionable handlings. He lost his place for one match after the disaster against HPK (1-5) but he redeemed himself and played good matches against Tappara and Pelicans. Against Pelicans he even posted his first shutout game.
As said, a reasonable start for Lukko this season. Lukko is playing eleven matches in October. The first serious shifting in the SM-league will be made than. GO LUKKO!
30.9.2005
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