“I have to say that I have enjoyed the games so far. Playing in the CHL is different than in Liiga.”

“These kind of road trips bring the team together as we get to spend time with each other. At the beginning of the season, it helped us get to know the new guys in the team,” said Jormakka.

The Group Stage taught Jukurit some valuable lessons about the CHL. Now the team are more prepared to compete in the Playoffs.

“For example, Luleå have a very good team. The first game against them was like fathers playing with their sons in Mikkeli,” said the 32-year-old who has scored four goals in the CHL so far this season, “in Luleå we managed to play a good game and even managed to win the game.”

Jormakka isn’t very familiar with his team’s upcoming opponent, but he’ll definitely get to know Fribourg better as the games come closer.

“There are elite players in each team, and we need to be aware of them every time. We need to defend smartly as you might end up with the puck in your own net if you give them too much space,” said the forward.

“Our Group Stage games were a good experience – especially for those guys who didn’t have that much experience from these kinds of games,” he added.

Jukurit is lead by two famous former NHL players with Olli Jokinen as their Head Coach and Toni Lydman as an Assistant Coach in the team. Jormakka appreciates their knowhow about international ice hockey.

“They know things, they highlight the fact that there are top level players coming against us. They know how to play on the ice against players like that.”

Due to their inexperience on the European stage, Jukurit have often been seen as underdogs but Jormakka himself knows that being seen as the underdog can sometimes be good for you. When you don’t have an ego or a reputation to carry with you, things can be easier to handle.

“I know from my own experience that if some less-known player comes at you trying to get under your skin, it might cause some boiling inside a top player’s head,” says Jormakka.
 

Coaches Jokinen and Lydman have been vocal about the mindset Jukurit should have going into the Playoff phase – “They said that probably none of them even know who you are, but when we give our all, it will certainly help us through.”

“The match-up against Fribourg is going to be a tough one. The Swiss players are high-quality players and the Swiss league has been taking big steps forward.”

Playoff games usually end up coming down to the little details.

“Our special teams have got to be successful as it’s only a matter of two games. With power play and penalty killing working, we should be close to winning. I assume that both teams have had time to practice enough so that there won’t be big differences in five against five,” Jormakka mentioned.

Jukurit and Fribourg will meet for their Round of 16 First Game next week, with Jukurit starting on home ice in the city of Mikkeli on 15 November before heading for Switzerland for the 22 November Return Game.