One of the best female hockey players to finnish league to play with guys!!

[Ammoguy]

I heard from one finnish radio station today that one of the world´s best female hockey players, canadian Hayley Wickenheiser (I´m not sure if I spelled that right :p ), is starting in a try-out in a team called Kirkkonummen Salamat, which plays in the 3rd highest level in finnish men´s hockey.

If she gets a contract to Salamat, she´ll become the first female player (excluding goalies) ever to play in men´s team.

In an interview she sounded very happy of this opportunity. She thought that the only possible difficulties could be the physical play and the adaptation into men´s environment :p

Way to go Hayley and good luck :uhh:

btw, I think that Finnish Flash, Teemu Selanne, has something to do with this team. At least he was partly funding the new arena for them last fall. Selanne is living in Kirkkonummi when his in Finland (summertimes).

Matti

[Ammoguy]

I just got some new info: The try-out is for one week and after that Salamat will decide if they want or not to make a contract with her. The Finnish Ice-hockey Federation has given a permission for women to play in men´s teams, if they are capable for that.. I assume that doesn´t work other way :funny:

[Troll]

Should be interesting.

[TheCorrsFreak]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
If she gets a contract to Salamat, she´ll become the first female player (excluding goalies) ever to play in men´s team.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't a female hockey player play in a DEL (German Icehockey league) team for a while about 4 years ago?:confused:


I think that's pretty cool though, thanks for posting.

[Ammoguy]

Maybe there was a female goalie playing in DEL??

[Ammoguy]

Hayley Wickenheiser will be the first female hockey player (exl. goalies) ever to play in mens league. Her first game is on Saturday 11th of January, when Salamat from Kirkkonummi (Hayleys team) will play against Ketterä from Imatra.

For now the contract is for three games and it will be continued til the end of the season, if she´s found to be useful for the team. Matti Hagman (btw, he is Niklas Hagmans father, an old-time hockeyplayer himself too), coach of Salamat, has said that Wickenheiser has an excellent intelligence of the game, good motion, good passes and she´s got surprisingly good shot. "She´s doing such a things in the ice, which can be done only by a very good and experienced player", Hagman says.

Tickets for the match were outsold in two hours (ok, the capacity of the arena is 1000..). It´s possible that the match will be seen live in Canada :shocked: (The league is the third highest level in Finland..)

[aFinn]

Wooooow, you heard about this too Matti! I´ve been PMming with Steph about this for about a week now, even since I heard :p :funny:

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by aFinn
Wooooow, you heard about this too Matti! I´ve been PMming with Steph about this for about a week now, even since I heard :p :funny:

Ehh, you didn´t have any clue how BIG hockey fan I am? That´s funny. I was thinking about why wasn´t even Steph interested about this thread :confused: But here is the reason: Gals are just PMming with each other :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ;) May I join? :p

[hockey_fan]

You guys have got keep us up to date on this!
Although, I think the Canadian news is gonna be all over it, too!

I really hope she can make it.

Here's a classic shot of her from the 2002 Olympics:
http://www.slamsports.com/2002GamesGallery0221Images/wh4-cp.jpg

And a link to a recent article:
TSN Storey on Hayley (http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story.asp?id=21618)

Go Haley! ;)

[Ammoguy]

Thanks Jaimie!! Have you heard anything if the game will be seen live in Canada??

[Ammoguy]

Ohh, in article, which you posted, it says: "Saturday's game against Kettera will be shown in Canada on WTSN at 1 p.m. EST"..

-Read first, type after- :p

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Thanks Jaimie!! Have you heard anything if the game will be seen live in Canada??
According to TSN, Canada's equivalent of the U.S. ESPN, they are going to show it live only on their women's channel, WTSN, which I don't get. I believe it is only available on satellite or digital cable.

Their regular channel will be showing Figure Skating!:mad:

Darn it! :mad: :scowl:

But I am sure all of her highlites will be extensively covered!:cool:

[Ammoguy]

Oh, surely Figure Skating is beating this :uhh: :uhh:

Soo, should we make a guess of how many points she´ll get in her first game..?

I´ll go with 0 goals 2 assists 2 PIM and 13.16 min on ice :p

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Oh, surely Figure Skating is beating this :uhh: :uhh:

Soo, should we make a guess of how many points she´ll get in her first game..?

I´ll go with 0 goals 2 assists 2 PIM and 13.16 min on ice :p

Ah, yes, I bet Hayley loves the figure skating too, ...NOT!:p

Wow, I love your prediction! But you know, I have no idea. It's hard to say. She's under a lot of pressure (but hey compared to the Olympics?) and I really don't know the calibre of play there. So I'll make no prediction, other than that she'll make us proud, I'm sure! :)

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
So I'll make no prediction, other than that she'll make us proud, I'm sure! :)

I think you can bet your bottom dollar in that!!

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Ehh, you didn´t have any clue how BIG hockey fan I am? That´s funny. I was thinking about why wasn´t even Steph interested about this thread :confused: But here is the reason: Gals are just PMming with each other :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ;) May I join? :p Noooo, HOW big?? :p

Hihihihi, us girls and PMming ;) :p


Soon will be the big day for Hayley :shocked:

[Ammoguy]

1 h 45 min to go!! :shocked: Hayley will play with number 22 (which she was used to in Team Canada)in Salamat. The coach Matti Hagman thinks that he´ll put Hayley to play both as a center and as a wing. She´ll probably play as a center in the third line with Immo Suutarinen and Kalle Kontio :uhh: :uhh:

There will be about 1200 spectators in the game (the capacity of the arena used to be 1000, but they´ve made some arrangements to make the capacity bigger :p ..)

Many fan-shirts of Salamat with the name Wickenheiser has already been ordered to Canada..

Through some betting-companys people are able to bet, how many points Hayley will make and is she going to take penalties or not.. :p

Salamat lost their last game 7-2 (it was an away game on Thursday)

Matti

[MikaShania]

First period!

HC Salamat - Ketterä 1-1

0-1 Tahvanainen (Soloviev)
1-1 Tevanen (Wickenheiser)


She played 4.22 in the first period.

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Many fan-shirts of Salamat with the name Wickenheiser has already been ordered to Canada.. I want one!!
Originally posted by Ammoguy
Through some betting-companys people are able to bet, how many points Hayley will make and is she going to take penalties or not.. :p Hmmm, penalties. Well she's pretty tough. If anybody wants to try and intimidate her, she will respond - so that's very possible!
Originally posted by Ammoguy
Salamat lost their last game 7-2 (it was an away game on Thursday) WOOAAH! Sounds like they could use her help! http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/vscared.gif

GOOOO HAYLEY!

[MikaShania]

Second period.....

HC Salamat vs. Ketterä

0-1 Tahvanainen (Soloviev)
1-1 Tevanen (Wickenheiser)
2-1 Telsavaara (Kivekäs)
3-1 Katavisto (Tevanen, Karlsson)
4-1 Kontio (Väisänen)

She played 4.22 in the first period.

[aFinn]

Way to go Salamat! Thanks MikaShania for the Updates! Let´s hope for a good third period too!

[MikaShania]

Second period.....

HC Salamat vs. Ketterä

0-1 Tahvanainen (Soloviev)
1-1 Tevanen (Wickenheiser)
2-1 Telsavaara (Kivekäs)
3-1 Katavisto (Tevanen, Karlsson)
4-1 Kontio (Väisänen)
4-2 Roiha (Moisio)

She played 4.22 in the first period.

She played 3.23 in the second period.

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by MikaShania
Second period.....

HC Salamat vs. Ketterä

0-1 Tahvanainen (Soloviev)
1-1 Tevanen (Wickenheiser)
2-1 Telsavaara (Kivekäs)
3-1 Katavisto (Tevanen, Karlsson)
4-1 Kontio (Väisänen)
4-2 Roiha (Moisio)

She played 4.22 in the first period.

She played 3.23 in the second period.
AHHH! I can't believe I can't watch this!
Thanks very much MikaShania for the updates.
Hey an assist - all right!
Are you watching it! - How's she doing?
This is killing me!

[MikaShania]

HC Salamat vs. Ketterä 7-3

0-1 Tahvanainen (Soloviev)
1-1 Tevanen (Wickenheiser)
2-1 Telsavaara (Kivekäs)
3-1 Katavisto (Tevanen, Karlsson)
4-1 Kontio (Väisänen)
4-2 Roiha (Moisio)
5-2 Väisänen (Agnevshikov, Telsava)
6-2 Kivekäs (no assists)
7-2 Tevanen (A.Tevanen, Karlsson)
7-3 Koppi (Lempiäinen)

She played 4.22 in the first period.
Face-offs 2/7

She played 3.23 in the second period.
Face-offs 4/6

They don't show it on TV here. I get the results from text TV.

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by MikaShania
Third period.....

HC Salamat vs. Ketterä

7-2

She played 4.22 in the first period.

She played 3.23 in the second period.

They don't show it on TV here. I get the results from text TV.
Too Bad! What's wrong with these TV networks!:mad: :mad:

7-2 for Salamat?? I assume?!

....hmmm only 7:45 in 2 periods, not much ice time! Hopefully she'll get more next game!

THANKS AGAIN!... :D

[MikaShania]

7:45 in 2 periods is actually quite good. Especially in her first game is mens league. Let's see how much time she got in third period.......


PS. Yes, Salamat won the game.

[hockey_fan]

Well at least there is an update on their web site:

Wickenheiser assists on team's first goal
Canadian Press
1/11/2003

KIRKKONUMMI, Finland (CP) - Hayley Wickenheiser took little time to make her presence felt Saturday, recording an assist on only her fifth shift in her first men's game in the Finnish League.

Wickenheiser won the faceoff in the offensive zone and drew the puck back to the point where a Kirkkonummi Salamat defenceman shot and scored to tie the game 1-1 before an ecstatic sellout crowd of over 1,000.

Wickenheiser played about four minutes over seven shifts in the first period but saw her ice time diminish in the second period because of numerous penalties. Wickenheiser wasn't playing on special teams.

The Canadian Olympic hero started the game and lost the opening faceoff. But the highlight of her 52-second shift was a check at her own blue-line stopping an opponent from taking a shot on goal.

The 24-year-old from Shaunavon, Sask., is on a three-game tryout with Kirkkonummi.

It had been thought Wickenheiser was making hockey history by becoming the first female position player - three others have played goalie - to play professionally with men, but it now appears a German woman beat her to it in 1998-99.

Maren Valenti played 24 games for Freiburg of Germany's second division.

The Salamat, which translates into the Lightning, are in first place in the Finlandia League's second division, two rungs below Finland's Elite League, where the country's top professionals play.

The opponents Saturday were the Imatra Kettera, another leading team in their nine-club division.

The five-feet-nine, 170-pounds Wickenheiser is playing centre in Finland.
http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/20030111/Wickenheiser_35247.jpg

[hockey_fan]

And another update:

Wickenheiser victorious in debut
Canadian Press

1/11/2003

KIRKKONUMMI, Finland (CP) - Hayley Wickenheiser took little time to make her presence felt Saturday, recording an assist on only her fifth shift in her first men's game in the Finnish League.

Wickenheiser won the faceoff in the offensive zone and drew the puck back to the point where a Kirkkonummi Salamat defenceman shot and scored to tie the game 1-1 in the first period before an ecstatic sellout crowd of over 1,000.

But that was it for any offence. Wickenheiser failed to record a shot on goal in her team's 7-3 win although she did score on her own net.

Wickenheiser tried to clear the puck off her netminder's goal line in the third period when an opponent checked her, sending the puck into the net off the blade of her stick.

"I wish it were the other way around but that's part of hockey," Wickenheiser said afterwards.

The Canadian Olympic hero played about 10 minutes, including killing a penalty and playing on a power play in the third period.

Her line contributed the one goal.

"We really didn't contribute much offensively," she said. "But it's only one game. And we still have the rest of the season.
"I'm kind of glad it's over."

Wickenheiser played about four minutes over seven shifts in the first period but saw her ice time diminish in the second period because of numerous penalties. Wickenheiser wasn't playing on special teams until the third period.

[aFinn]

They won, they won! :D :p

Rather good debut, I would say :)

[MikaShania]

Originally posted by aFinn
They won, they won! :D :p

Rather good debut, I would say :)

Jarkko "Mad Man" Ruutu olisi pistänyt poikittaisella Wickenheiseria niin että hammassuojat olisi lentänyt Kanadaan asti, jos se olisi pelannut vastustajan puolella. :D :D :D

Ei sais kirjoittaa yöllä juttuja.... :D

[Ammoguy]

Well, what can I say.. She played rather good but there was seen some difficulties with her physical game. One player (weighing over 100 kg) from the opposite team was saying after game, that he had the possibilities to tackle her, but he didn´t do it like he does it when tackling men. So they didn´t treat her always as any other player on the ring.. That´s not a good sign :uhh: :uhh:

But we´ll see what happens after two more games. I´m sure this media thing also affected a lot in Hayley´s performance in this first game.. Go, Hayley, go :up:

[aFinn]

Originally posted by MikaShania
Ei sais kirjoittaa yöllä juttuja.... :D Totta :p :p :p

[La Diablesa]

Originally posted by aFinn
Totta :p :p :p

TOTTA U!!!!! :p :p :p

OOOOPS :shocked: WAIT!! I THOUGHT U SAID *TONTA*!!!! :funny: :p ;) :D

J/K :p


:devil:

[aFinn]

Originally posted by La Diablesa
TOTTA U!!!!! :p :p :p

OOOOPS :shocked: WAIT!! I THOUGHT U SAID *TONTA*!!!! :funny: :p ;) :D

J/K :p


:devil: :funny: :funny: :funny:


totta means It is true/I agree :p

[Stephania5]

Hayley's on the front page of the Toronto Star today, and highlights from her came were one of the first things on the 6:00 news yesterday. I hope things continue to go well for her.

[aFinn]

GOOOOOOO Hayley! GOOOOOO Canada!

Well, this is pretty big news at least in Canada and Finland, I wonder if it has been reported elsewhere too?

[Ammoguy]

At least there were reporters from Canada, Sweden and France in Hayley´s debut game!

[aFinn]

Ah, thanks for the info :up:

France? Hmm.. :huh: ;)

[canoilers]

I just hope the next goal she scores is on the other teams net.:p not bad for a rookie, she looked very composed. I think she might have a career here.

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by canoilers
I just hope the next goal she scores is on the other teams net.:p

:funny: :funny: :funny: Yeah, but it was a nice goal anyway :p
Now Rene Fasel from IIHF is saying something like women should not play with guys, come on Rene.. :uhh: He had two weeks time to say something before Hayleys debut game and he didn´t say anything, he was silent. And now after all this good and positive media happening, he opens his mouth by saying something like that :uhh: :uhh:

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by TheCorrsFreak
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't a female hockey player play in a DEL (German Icehockey league) team for a while about 4 years ago?:confused:

You were absolutely right my friend!!

German female player Maren Valenti played in Freiburg, in German 2nd league (mens league.. :p )in the season 98-99 for 24 games. And she wasn´t a goalie.. This was in todays newspaper here in Finland..

Makes me just think why this was announced so late :uhh:

Why didn´t they tell this before Hayley´s first game in Finland??
Just to make Hayley´s debut much more bigger media thing or what? Sounds really really weird to me :confused: :down:

Maren couldn´t be just forgotten in this case :uhh:

[aFinn]

Hmm, so looks like we got new developments here.
Stay tuned! ;) :p

[Stephania5]

I don't think that not mentioning Maren was done intentionally- I think they just didn't have their facts straight.

[TheCorrsFreak]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
You were absolutely right my friend!!

German female player Maren Valenti played in Freiburg, in German 2nd league (mens league.. :p )in the season 98-99 for 24 games. And she wasn´t a goalie.. This was in todays newspaper here in Finland..

Makes me just think why this was announced so late :uhh:

Why didn´t they tell this before Hayley´s first game in Finland??
Just to make Hayley´s debut much more bigger media thing or what? Sounds really really weird to me :confused: :down:

Maren couldn´t be just forgotten in this case :uhh:
LOL, Okay, I thought I had gone crazy or something because I was so damn sure that I saw a report about Maren on TV a few years ago but no one mentioned her in all these recent Hayley articles. When I asked my brother wheter Hayley really was the first woman to play in a men's team he said that there was a woman who played for the DEL team Eisbären Berlin in 98. Hehe, I don't know why we both thought Maren played for them?:uhh: Totally weird and confusing:p

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by TheCorrsFreak
LOL, Okay, I thought I had gone crazy or something because I was so damn sure that I saw a report about Maren on TV a few years ago but no one mentioned her in all these recent Hayley articles. When I asked my brother wheter Hayley really was the first woman to play in a men's team he said that there was a woman who played for the DEL team Eisbären Berlin in 98. Hehe, I don't know why we both thought Maren played for them?:uhh: Totally weird and confusing:p

I see. I checked some websites and they´re saying that she played in Freiburg..? But Maren might as well played for Eisbären, I don´t know :confused: But the THING here is, why did they find that out soo late :uhh: :uhh: To be honest, I don´t believe it would have been so hard to find that out when it was announced that Hayley will play in Salamat. I feel that they just didn´t want to spoil her party and that´s something weird :cry:

Why did they take the credit away from Maren?? Of course Hayley is way better player than Maren, and it´s understandable that they made this to be a big thing in media. But the fact is that Maren was the first female player to play in mens team :rolleyes: That should have had some kind of value in their news about Hayley.. Come on, this is a thing about source information. Every journalist should make the background of news properly. Of course they knew about Maren :rolleyes: :rolleyes: But why they didn´t tell that??

[aFinn]

The news is bigger that way I guess..

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
The news is bigger that way I guess.. You're probably right.
But, I don't recall hearing about that woman playing in Germany back here. :confused:
I guess they figured if it wasn't a Canadian woman, it wasn't newsworthy! Hmmmph! :smirk:

[aFinn]

Hey, there was a piece about Hayley´s game in a Finnish program called "45 minutes"
I only caught it from the very end though..

Did they show clips of the game and the press conference there in Canada?

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by aFinn
Hey, there was a piece about Hayley´s game in a Finnish program called "45 minutes"
I only caught it from the very end though..

Did they show clips of the game and the press conference there in Canada?

Yep, they showed some clips, including THE assist and THE own goal :p Then they also showed the after-game press conference, where the captain and the coach of the opposite team were giving cheek kisses to Hayley :kiss: And remember, giving a cheek kiss in Finland means almost the same as a very intimate tongue-kiss anywhere else around the world.. :p :p (We´re so shy here..) Anyway, that was fun, Hayley was a bit blushed after that.. That was a kind of good welcome to Hayley!

And then back to this a bit ridiculous thing:

Todays news are telling that there has been one 15-year old girl in Ukraine playing in mens (not boys) first level league for one and a half season already :uhh: :uhh: She even scored last week :up: :up:

So it took almost two years to get the news from Ukraine into the press :really: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I really hope that Hayley will do well and she´ll have success here, but hey, this is so ridiculous.. I think this whole thing with the press is going straight to the trash bin now.. :(

Anyway, Go Hayley, Go!!

[aFinn]

Liza Rjabkina plays in Drushba-87 team. The Ukrainian league has 5 teams :uhh:

[Ammoguy]

In her second game in Salamat, Hayley played 10 min 40 sec, no points. She shoot once in the game. The game was an away game against SaPKo and Salamat won the game 5-2. :)

[hockey_fan]

Thanks, for the update, Matti.

I notice there is no fanfare for this second game! :(

There are a couple of video clips on her first game here (at the bottom right corner, under "Audio/Video":
Hayley Video Clips! (http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/)

Go Hayley!

[aFinn]

I think after tomorrows game they decide if Hayley stays or not.

[Ammoguy]

Yes, they´ll decide if she´ll continue after tomorrows (actually todays) game.

What I´ve heard from people who were watching Hayleys second game is that she was a little disappointment :sad: She doesn´t have enough strenght to play with guys. It seems that the coach is nowadays letting her to play when the situation in the game is not so tuff and she´s not playing any power play or short-handed play before the game is clear.. :uhh:

So, it seems that Hayley doesn´t have a good chance to continue, but she still has one game to show her skills :up:

Even though I´m still wondering that do Salamat really have a choice to kick her out of the team after this whole media thing?? I don´t know.. :confused:

Hmm, that´s my two cents of this night.. :really:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Yes, they´ll decide if she´ll continue after tomorrows (actually todays) game.

What I´ve heard from people who were watching Hayleys second game is that she was a little disappointment :sad: She doesn´t have enough strenght to play with guys. It seems that the coach is nowadays letting her to play when the situation in the game is not so tuff and she´s not playing any power play or short-handed play before the game is clear.. :uhh:

So, it seems that Hayley doesn´t have a good chance to continue, but she still has one game to show her skills :up:

Even though I´m still wondering that do Salamat really have a choice to kick her out of the team after this whole media thing?? I don´t know.. :confused:

Hmm, that´s my two cents of this night.. :really: I'm sorry to hear that... :(
That is disappointing!
Although an article here suggests that she thought she did better:

Hayley rates second game better than debut

Wickenheiser, captain of Canada's gold medal women's Olympic team at Salt Lake City, is on a 30-day tryout with the Salamat.
(posted Jan. 18, 1:23PM EST)
SAVONLINNA, Finland -- Hayley Wickenheiser says she is getting more comfortable in men's hockey the longer she plays in Finland.

Playing at centre, Wickenheiser had more offensive chances in her second game with the league-leading Kirkkonummi Salamat, who beat the second place Savonlinna Sapko 5-2 on Saturday.

Although she didn't get a point on Saturday after registering an assist a week ago, Wickenheiser said she thinks her play improved this weekend and she was better in tune with her linemates.

"Overall, I still think it's starting to come with the line, we were not creating a ton of things but there were three or four times during the game we had good scoring chances," she said in an interview.

"I'm trying to keep it simple but at the same time take a few more chances on the ice. I feel a little bit more comfortable with the second game."

Wickenheiser, captain of Canada's gold medal women's Olympic team at Salt Lake City, is on a 30-day tryout with the Salamat. The team will decide Monday whether she will remain with the club for the rest of the season.

The Salamat play on the road again on Sunday against the Joensuu Jokipojat.

Finnish hockey fans have embraced Wickenheiser, who's generally considered the world's top female hockey player, and again she helped boost attendance for a game in the country's second division, two rungs below the Elite League. The Sapko normally draw about 400 fans, but the rink was full on Saturday with more than 1,500 people in the stands.

Wickenheiser, 24, from Shaunavon, Sask., said she is pleased to have back-to-back games to help prove herself.

"I'd like to get in a good rhythm of playing a lot of games and from here on in we seem to have a lot of games to play, so that's going to be good for me," she added.

Kirkkonummi play on a rink that is not much larger than an NHL ice surface, so Saturday's game was Wickenheiser's first on a European-sized rink.

The chance to play on the larger ice surface was one of the reasons Wickenheiser chose to try to break into men's hockey in Finland, and she noticed the change in the style of play, especially when it came to the physical side of the game.

"Being on the bigger ice, you can't hit as much, you have to contain," she said. "You have more time, for sure."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I guess we'll just have to wait and see....

Go Hayley!!

[aFinn]

Actually, they should keep her, the money she brings in for these teams through the sell out crowds is very valuable. ;) :p

Well, seriously, I hope she gets a chance to play for the rest of the reason! But I would expect that after a few more games she would start to get more hits and bruises maybe.. as the men would not watch out for her so much.

[Ammoguy]

In her third game in Salamat, Hayley played 10 min 56 sec, no shoots. Salamat lost their away game against Jokipojat 2-4.

Now Hayley has shown what she´s able to do in Finnish third level in three games. Now it´s all up to the teams management.. what do they decide.. :uhh: But as Marika said, maybe they´ll keep her in any case. She´s making bigger crowds to the games.. :p And that means money and we all know that "we live in a greedy little world" :p

Let´s wait and see what happens!! :up: Maybe they´ll make the decision tomorrow?

After every game the players from opposite teams have been telling that they didn´t want to tackle Hayley, which means she hasn´t yet been treated "normally" in the rink. :really:

[Ammoguy]

Well well, her line wasn´t on the ice when the opposite team scored their four goals today (which means no minus-points for them) and she won 9 of 11 face-offs, not bad :shocked:

I have a feeling they´ll take her for the rest of the season.. :up:

[aFinn]

Hope so!!

[hockey_fan]

Thanks for the info and support Matti and Marika.
I do hope they keep her!
Yes, the fact that she draws crowds could influence it too, although I have a feeling the novelty will wear off fairly quickly!...

At least Hayley figures she's done enough to stay:

Wickenheiser awaits lineup decision

The Finnish men’s team will decide if the Canadian national team star has the right stuff to stick around for the rest of the season.

(posted Jan. 19, 1:23PM EST)
JOENSUU, Finland -- With the last game of her tryout in men's Finnish hockey a thing of history, Hayley Wickenheiser thinks she has done enough to play the rest of the season with the Kirkkonummi Salamat.

“I think when I've played, I've just tried to play smart and steady and stay within myself, so I think I can play in this league,” Wickenheiser said in an interview Sunday after her last game before a decision is made on her future.

“Obviously it's up to the coaches, but I feel pretty good about it.”

Wickenheiser, 24, was on a 30-day tryout with the men's team from Kirkkonummi, a small town just west of Helsinki.

The coaching staff -- headed by former NHLer Matti Hagman -- decides Monday whether she will remain with the club for the rest of the season.

The Salamat, which translates into Lightning, were on the road on Sunday against the Joensuu Jokipojat, losing 4-2.

Wickenheiser won 10 of her 14 faceoffs during her 12 minutes of ice time. She played mostly on the third line and occasionally on the second, but did not have any shots on goal.

She showed good technical hockey when she had space, but when checked she was not able to influence the game. She did not back off duelling with the stronger men around her.

In the three games Wickenheiser played, the league-leading Salamat went 2-1.

“I think she played again tonight pretty well,” said Ari Mennander, the team president. “She's better and better all the time with the puck.”

Under sometimes intense media scrutiny, Wickenheiser finished her tryout at centre with no goals and one assist, registered in her first game.

But Wickenheiser said she was pleased by the growing sense of confidence she had in each game.

“The most important thing for me is to just handle myself defensively and physically along the boards and I've taken enough hits now to know that I'll be able to survive in this league,” said Wickenheiser, who is five-feet-nine, 170-pounds.

Wickenheiser helped the Canadian women's team win a gold medal at last year's Olympics and was named the MVP of that tournament.

She has been frustrated at the lack of competition she faced in the National Women's Hockey League.

Playing this season with the Edmonton Chimos, Wickenheiser was moved back to defence, but not to bolster the team's backline.

It was a strategy aimed at helping her get the puck, something that wasn't happening when she played forward.

She turned down an offer in November to try out with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL and was rebuffed in her attempt to play in Italy last fall when that country's federation ruled women weren't eligible to play in a men's league.

The Salamat, a team part-owned by San Jose Sharks' forward Teemu Selanne, invited her to Finland for a tryout late last year.

Mennander said Wickenheiser has been good for the league, boosting attendance in all three games in which she played.

On Sunday, the rink in Joensuu had 2,600 people in attendance, the largest crowd the club has had for a game in four years.

“Everywhere she played they have done records,” said Mennander.

Wickenheiser, from Shaunavon, Sask., has had something of a baptism by fire during her tryout, facing three of the strongest teams in the second division, which is two rungs below Finland's Elite League.

Salamat is the top team in the Eastern Conference followed by Jokipojat three points behind. Both teams are safe bets to finish in the top four in the conference and qualify for playoffs.

Wickenheiser's 12 minutes of ice time was slightly more than she had in her first two games.

She said she has done all she can to make the club as she strives to find a higher level of hockey to play at to improve her game.

“A few goals would have been nice but I've done the best I can with the limited minutes,” she said. “I think at the same time the coach has wanted to ease me into the league, as I've said before, and see how well I do with the ice time I get, and I think I've done well enough.”

------------------------------------------

It sounds encouraging, let's hope so!!
Either way, she's been great!!
Way to go Hayley!!! :D

[aFinn]

Thanks so much Jamie! Nice to know she is still followed there in the news!

[Ammoguy]

Yes, she will continue in Salamat till the end of the season!! It was just announced here!! :up: :up: :up:

Thanks Jamie for that interesting article btw!!

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Yes, she will continue in Salamat till the end of the season!! It was just announced here!! :up: :up: :up:

Thanks Jamie for that interesting article btw!! Oih, beat me to it! :p :p

If they had not signed her, she would have had till the end of January to find a new team here in Finland. The time limit for transfers between teams ends 31st Jan.. but looks like there is no need :D

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Yes, she will continue in Salamat till the end of the season!! It was just announced here!! :up: :up: :up:

Thanks Jamie for that interesting article btw!! YAHOOO!!! - ATTA GIRL, HAYLEY!!!

Wow, that is sooo great to hear!!

Thanks Matti ,and you're welcome.
[Marika, ya snooze, ya lose!]

Here's the latest from over here:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/Wickenheiser340x236_10430797368620.jpg

Wickenheiser remains with men's Finnish team

Kirkkonummi Salamat has awarded the Canadian star with a contract for the remainder of the season.

(posted Jan. 20, 9:21AM EST)
KIRKKONUMMI, Finland -- Canadian women's hockey star Hayley Wickenheiser signed a professional contract with Kirkkonummi Salamat on Monday and will play with the Finnish men's hockey team for the rest of this season.

Wickenheiser, 24, played three games with Salamat during a 30-day tryout, registering one assist.

“I think I've been playing the game long enough that after a few practices and a few good hard scrimmages with the team you could tell if you were going to be able to make an impact,” Wickenheiser said Monday following a news conference. “It's been, I would say, a good start, not a bad start, but I know I can play better as time goes on here.

“I'm pretty comfortable with the role, with what they expect me to do.”

Wickenheiser, from Shaunavon, Sask., can play up to 22 more games with Salamat until the end of March, including regular season and playoff games.

Wickhenheiser expects to play between 10 and 15 minutes a game playing centre on the squad's third forward line.

Kirkkonummi is a small town just west of Helsinki. Salamat is two rungs below Finland's top league.

In the three games Wickenheiser played, the league-leading Salamat went 2-1.

“We have been very pleased with her,” Matti Hagman, the head coach and a former NHL player, said in a statement.

“Kettera, Sapko and Jokipojat are the top teams in our league so Hayley really got a feel of what she can expect this spring. She has convinced us that she is able to play in this league and if needed when we are playing qualification games to be promoted to the next level.”

Details of the contract's terms were not immediately available Monday.

It had been thought Wickenheiser was making hockey history by becoming the first female position player -- three others have played goalie -- to play with a professional men's team, but a German woman apparently beat her to it in 1998-99.

Maren Valenti played 24 games for Freiburg of Germany's second division, but didn't register a point or a penalty during her time with the team.

Salamat's next games are Saturday in Varkaus and Sunday in Heinola before the team's next home game Feb. 1.

Wickenheiser hasn't turned her back on women's hockey.

She wants to play for the Canadian women's team at the world championship in Beijing in April and Salamat's schedule will allow her to do that.

“There's no worries that I won't be at the worlds,” said Wickenheiser. “Even if we go all the way the last game is March 29, so I would be there just in time to start the worlds in China. It worked out perfectly.”

Wickenheiser helped the Canadian women win an Olympic gold medal in Salt Lake City last year and was named MVP of the tournament.

She is the Canadian team's all-time leader in points.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

:D :D :up: :up: :D :D :up: :up:

[hockey_fan]

Here's another story, it's too long to print it all, so I'll just give you the highlites.

Here's the link, click on the title:

Wickenheiser's Finnish stay extended (http://www.tsn.ca/ctvnews/sportsstory.asp?story_id=23893)

Canadian women's hockey star Hayley Wickenheiser was looking for a challenge. She has found it in Finland.

After a prolonged search this winter for the kind of hockey that would push her to become a better player, the 24-year-old from Shaunavon, Sask., signed a contract with the second-division Finnish men's team Kirkkonummi Salamat on Monday.

``It's a perfect situation,'' Wickenheiser said from Kirkkonummi on Monday. ``You get a real sense of urgency every game to win and that every game is important. I really missed that coming from the women's game in a lot of areas.''

``It's going to be a good challenge coming into the best team in the league that's trying to advance and so I think in practices, it's a very competitive environment and I'm going to be able to get better every day as we go along here,'' said Wickenheiser. ``I hope to be able to help the team win.''

Salamat is based in Kirkkonummi, 30 kilometres west of Helsinki.

``Kettera, Sapko and Jokipojat are the top teams in our league so Hayley really got a feel of what she can expect this spring,'' head coach Matti Hagman said.

``She has convinced us that she is able to play in this league and if needed when we are playing qualification games to be promoted to the next level.''

International women's hockey is competitive enough for Wickenheiser, but she was looking for more competition between international events.

The contract package her agent Wade Arnott has worked out with Salamat is heavy with corporate sponsorship, which is typical in European hockey. European players wear the logos of companies on their helmets and uniforms.

Wickenheiser will have her transportation and accommodation covered and will be paid a salary, which Arnott would not reveal.

Salamat president Ari Mennander said the average salary in the Suomi League is about $500 US per month and Arnott said Wickenheiser's salary will be ``well in excess of that.''

Salamat had a team picture taken Monday and will donate one to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Wickenheiser will face accusations of being a novelty act, but she has been hired by a team that is more concerned with winning games and earning promotion to the next level than putting butts in the seats.

``This team is trying to qualify for Division 1 for next year so they are pretty serious,'' Stubb pointed out. ``They are not playing only for fun. I don't think they would have given her a contract if they didn't she was good enough or couldn't help the team.''

Philadelphia Flyers assistant coach Wayne Fleming, who coached in the Swedish elite league for four years, doubts that Salamat signed Wickenheiser as a publicity stunt.

``I think it's a real credit to her that she's been able to break the boundary in an established hockey nation and an established hockey power,'' he said Monday. ``She'd be there on her own value. There's no gifts over there because the coaches are hired and fired, the same as they are over here and the players are all vying for paid positions.

``Finland and Sweden are there for the true value of the sport. I've never seen a sideshow type of event going on in those particular countries.''

Wickenheiser says her teammates, many of them university students, have treated her well.

``I've had a chance to ask some of the older guys what the guys think of me being here,'' she said.

``The majority of the guys think it's a good thing, it's positive. They respect that fact that I can play so that helps. If I was here in this situation where I was in over my head, it would be a lot tougher.''

On the bus on the way to games, she says her teammates chat with her in English and have taught her the all-important skill of trash-talking in Finnish.

``The guys have been telling me swear words I can use on the ice,'' she said with a laugh. ``The 10 most important words they were telling me.''
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Matti, looks like she's learning "Tiki-talk". ;)

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
Hey Matti, looks like she's learning "Tiki-talk". ;)

:funny: :funny: Ha-haa, I knew it was just a matter of time!! :p :p

Thanks again for the interesting articles, Jamie!! :up:

Now I need to go and check her playing, live...

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Now I need to go and check her playing, live...
Yesss, and I'll want a full scouting report!! :D :D

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
Yesss, and I'll want a full scouting report!! :D :D

That´s fine with me!! :D :D

shhh, just tell me what team I´m scouting for...Maple Leafs is my guess?

Poor Hayley, soon she´ll be in NHL after my brilliant scouting :really:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
That´s fine with me!! :D :D

shhh, just tell me what team I´m scouting for...Maple Leafs is my guess?

Poor Hayley, soon she´ll be in NHL after my brilliant scouting :really: But of course for the Leafs! ;)
She can join the other Finns on the squad! (well, she'll be a "pseudo-Finn") :funny:

[Ammoguy]

Soo, how does it sound:

Wickenheiser-Sundin-Renberg
Berg-Lumme

That´d be a "Scandinavian" line for you :funny:

[aFinn]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
"pseudo-Finn") :funny: :funny: :funny:

Thanks for the articles! Very interesting!

Hey, it wouldn´t be the same without the Tiki-talk ;) :p

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Soo, how does it sound:

Wickenheiser-Sundin-Renberg
Berg-Lumme

That´d be a "Scandinavian" line for you :funny: :funny: :funny: :up:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Soo, how does it sound:

Wickenheiser-Sundin-Renberg
Berg-Lumme

That´d be a "Scandinavian" line for you :funny: Ooooh! Putting her on the top line, gutsy move!! ;)

Now we just need a goalie. We'd have to trade for someone like Tommy Salo!
Has he recovered from that Belarus goal yet!! ;)

For a Finn, I'd trade with Atlanta for Kari Lehtonen, he looks like he's gonna be great!

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
Now we just need a goalie. We'd have to trade for someone like Tommy Salo!
Has he recovered from that Belarus goal yet!! ;)


Nope!!! Tommy will never recover from that goal :funny: :funny: At least here in Finland he´ll always be remembered as a "Tommy the Hoover" :funny: :funny: :p :p Ahh, I still love that goal :p Maybe the fact that it was Sweden who lost has something to do with my opinion here :p :p

But anyway, Kari Lehtonen sounds quite nice in the goal of Maple Leafs :up:

[Stephania5]

Ah, the women's hockey fan is always the last one! She was on the front page of the newspaper yesterday, well, in the top corner atleast. I'm really happy for her. I think Finland's a great country for her to play in, and I wish her much success! :)

:funny: Yeah, poor Tommy Salo. Us Canucks were so happy, knowing we'd get to play Belarus! :funny: :p

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Stephania5
Ah, the women's hockey fan is always the last one! She was on the front page of the newspaper yesterday, well, in the top corner atleast. I'm really happy for her. I think Finland's a great country for her to play in, and I wish her much success! :)

:funny: Yeah, poor Tommy Salo. Us Canucks were so happy, knowing we'd get to play Belarus! :funny: :p Hiya Steffie!!!!
Where have ya been?? We've been waitin' for ya! :smirk:

Matti, hey, I forgot all about Tellqvist! He finally got a start and wasn't too bad! (lost to Philly 3-1! :( )

Love the Salming mask:

http://www.mapleleafs.com/images/index/index/b1_tellqvist_hd_Abel.jpg


But, I'd still take Lehtonen in a heartbeat! ;)

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
But, I'd still take Lehtonen in a heartbeat! ;)

I know you would :p :p

By the way, next wednesday I´ll be watching Hayley´s game :up: :up: (If nothing unexpected happens)..

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Stephania5
Ah, the women's hockey fan is always the last one! She was on the front page of the newspaper yesterday, well, in the top corner atleast. I'm really happy for her. I think Finland's a great country for her to play in, and I wish her much success! :)

:funny: Yeah, poor Tommy Salo. Us Canucks were so happy, knowing we'd get to play Belarus! :funny: :p :up: Best of luck to Hayley! :D

:funny: So the Canucks and Finns both were VERY happy to see that goal :funny: :funny: We´ll never let Tommy Salo forget it :p

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy


By the way, next wednesday I´ll be watching Hayley´s game :up: :up: (If nothing unexpected happens).. You´re going to the game? :shocked: I´m Jealous :p

Have fun!! :D

[Ammoguy]

I hope I´m able to go. I mean I´ve got BIG plans to go, but I don´t have the ticket yet :uhh: Just don´t know yet where to get one from Heinola :really: Have to make some calls somewhere...

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
I hope I´m able to go. I mean I´ve got BIG plans to go, but I don´t have the ticket yet :uhh: Just don´t know yet where to get one from Heinola :really: Have to make some calls somewhere... :cool: COOL! Hope you get to go!! :up: :up: :D

Hey Marika, where are those CONNECTIONS of yours, help this guy out! ....

[aFinn]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
:cool: COOL! Hope you get to go!! :up: :up: :D

Hey Marika, where are those CONNECTIONS of yours, help this guy out! .... hahahah, no connections in Heinola :shocked: :uhh: :rolleyes: :p

[Stephania5]

Originally posted by aFinn
:up: Best of luck to Hayley! :D

:funny: So the Canucks and Finns both were VERY happy to see that goal :funny: :funny: We´ll never let Tommy Salo forget it :p
:funny: Poor Tommy!!

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Stephania5
:funny: Poor Tommy!! :p Dunno about poor ;) :p

But we´ll certainly torment him forever :p :funny:

[Ammoguy]

Hayley played her best game so far in Salamat yesterday, when Salamat won their away game 5-4 in overtime. Coach Matti Hagman let Hayley play even short-handed play during the game. Next game for Salamat is next wednesday and then I´ll hopefully be one of the lucky spectators.. :up:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Hayley played her best game so far in Salamat yesterday, when Salamat won their away game 5-4 in overtime. Coach Matti Hagman let Hayley play even short-handed play during the game. Next game for Salamat is next wednesday and then I´ll hopefully be one of the lucky spectators.. :up: Thanks, Matti! :up: But what are the details??. Time played? Any points? :confused:
Since she has been signed, there has been no updates over here.
I guess the story is becoming "old"! :mad:

Any help you can give on updates would be appreciated! :D
Oh, and good luck on going to the game!! :)

[Ammoguy]

Jamie, I don´t know about her playing time, but she had one 2 min penalty for tripping in third period, woww :up:. So now she knows what finnish penalty box feels like.. After four games she´s still whit 0+1 points and now, 2 PIM also ;)

[aFinn]

Oh, what a dirty player! :shocked:

:p :funny: ;)

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Jamie, I don´t know about her playing time, but she had one 2 min penalty for tripping in third period, woww :up:. So now she knows what finnish penalty box feels like.. After four games she´s still whit 0+1 points and now, 2 PIM also ;) Matti, thanks for the UPdate! :D
So, she took a penalty!! Oh well, it's part of the game! (and yes, Marika, I'm sure it was a viscious trip! :p).

Glad to hear she finally got some time on a penalty kill, what about power play time??

[Ammoguy]

Jamie, no power play yet, only shoth handed. But she played 12 min 12 sec, took 2 PIM, shot twice on goal and won 6 out of 12 faceoffs. And again the game was outsold.. :up:

[canoilers]

God news for hayley, bad news for our edmonton chimos who she was playing with before she went to finland. I'm happy to hear the signed her.:)

[Ammoguy]

http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/fitCyberm.gif

I´m not able to go to the game today :sad: :sad: So boring day at work and so looongg http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/nixweiss.gif The game starts soon far away from here and I´m depressed http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/bawling.gif Well, maybe some other time.

btw, I know she scores today.. Just to make me feel myself a total jackass..

Anyway, SHANIAROOOOOOOLS

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/fitCyberm.gif

I´m not able to go to the game today :sad: :sad: So boring day at work and so looongg http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/nixweiss.gif The game starts soon far away from here and I´m depressed http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/bawling.gif Well, maybe some other time.

btw, I know she scores today.. Just to make me feel myself a total jackass..

Anyway, SHANIAROOOOOOOLS :sad: sorry to hear that.

And you can bet that Hayley scores :uhh: That would be just the luck of us Finns :down: :smirk:

[Ammoguy]

Salamat won their away game 2-0. No points or penalties for Hayley, details coming, someday, somehow :p

[Ammoguy]

Found them sooner than I expected: Hayley played 15 min 15 sec, had three shots on goal and won seven out of ten faceoffs :up: :up:

She was saying after game that she´s having more and more self-confidence, cause the coach gives her more and more playing time all the time :up:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/fitCyberm.gif

I´m not able to go to the game today :sad: :sad: So boring day at work and so looongg http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/nixweiss.gif The game starts soon far away from here and I´m depressed http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/bawling.gif Well, maybe some other time.
Man, that's too bad you couldn't go! :(
I was hoping to get that personal scouting report, too....
Oh well! Try again!... :D

(and you're still too sensitive!)

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Found them sooner than I expected: Hayley played 15 min 15 sec, had three shots on goal and won seven out of ten faceoffs :up: :up:

She was saying after game that she´s having more and more self-confidence, cause the coach gives her more and more playing time all the time :up: WOO-HOO!!
Thanks, Matti!! She sounds like she is really coming along!
Increased ice-time, some shots on goal, she's great on the face-offs :up: :up: :up: :D

The points will come....

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
WOO-HOO!!
The points will come....

And She SCOOOREEEESSSS!!!! On saturday evening, Salamat lost their home-game against Titaanit 4-5, but Hayley did their first goal!! She also had one assist and she really was on fire on the ice. She was chosen as the best player on the ice :up: She played 13 min 25 sec and had 4 shots on goal. She won 13 out of 17 face-offs, woww!!

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
And She SCOOOREEEESSSS!!!! On saturday evening, Salamat lost their home-game against Titaanit 4-5, but Hayley did their first goal!! She also had one assist and she really was on fire on the ice. She was chosen as the best player on the ice :up: She played 13 min 25 sec and had 4 shots on goal. She won 13 out of 17 face-offs, woww!! YEEHAWW! :D :D :D
Awww Matti that is sooo GREAT! :D
Man, she sounds like she played an awesome game!

Too bad they lost, but ... Hayley just seems to be getting better and better, every game!!! :up: :up:

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
YEEHAWW! :D :D :D
Awww Matti that is sooo GREAT! :D
Man, she sounds like she played an awesome game!

Too bad they lost, but ... Hayley just seems to be getting better and better, every game!!! :up: :up:

Yeppers, after the game the coach was feeling a bit down cause he didn´t let Hayley play POWER-PLAY on that game. He said that their power-play really sucked in that game, he should have given a chance to Hayley too. But, maybe in next game :up: He described Hayley´s goal as a perfect way for a canadian to score: She tried and tried and finally she was was able to scrounge the puck from back-handed into the net.

Hayley was also a bit disappointed after the game because of their lost, but she was happy to make her first goal in home arena!!

btw, Hayley didn´t get any minuses, so she wasn´t on the ice when the opposite team scored :up:

[hockey_fan]

Here's the story on the goal and the game here:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/wickenheiser_hayley_150_200_10441209898356.jpg

Wickenheiser bulges twine

(posted Feb. 1, 12:36PM EST)
KIRKKONUMMI, Finland -- Hayley Wickenheiser knew it was just a matter of time before she would put the puck in the net.

The Canadian women's hockey star scored her first goal for Kirkkonummi Salamat in a 5-4 loss to Titaanit on Saturday making her the first woman to record a goal in a men's pro league.

Wickenheiser, who has been with the second division men's team in the Finnish Elite League since mid-January, scored in the first period to tie the game 1-1. She also added an assist to bring her point total to a goal and two assists in six games with the team. She was named star of the game.

“I would say it's a relief to get it over with but I would say the last few games I've been getting some chances,” she said. “It would have been better if we won.”

It had been thought Wickenheiser, who helped Canada's women's team to a gold medal at the 2002 Olympics, was making hockey history by becoming the first female position player -- three others have played goalie -- to play with a professional men's team, but a German woman apparently beat her to it in 1998-99. Maren Valenti didn't register a point in 24 games for Freiburg of Germany's second division.

After Harri Neimi scored 29 seconds into Saturday's game, Wickenheiser tied it at 7:57 of the first period. Immo Suutatinen and Kalle Kontio assisted on the goal.

Wickenheiser picked up a loose puck behind the net and skated in front.

“I basically just threw it on the net and it found a hole about six inches off the ice,” she said, adding that it took her a second to realize that the puck actually went in.

Wickenheiser said she and her teammates didn't do any elaborate celebrating on the ice.

“I was just like `Yeah, it's a goal and that's it,' nothing major,” she said.

But she admits it was an important moment.

“It was obviously really special in that it was my first goal in this hockey. But I look at it like hopefully there will be more.”

The fans in the packed 1,200-seat Varuboden Arena gave her a warm reception.

“They were really happy for me,” said Wickenheiser, who was playing in her second home game. “They're truly supportive. It was kind of destiny for it to happen at home in front of all your supporters.”

Wickenheiser, from Shaunavon, Sask., also assisted on Kontio's goal at 5:26 of the second period which made it 2-1.

“I'm starting to click with my linemates,” she said. “Really, we've only had five games together. That's not a lot.”

Tomi Karlsson and Teemu Vaisanen also scored for Salamat, which lead the second division. Hannu Seppanen took the loss in goal.

On Saturday, Wickenheiser had just over 13 minutes of ice time, was plus-2 and won 13 of 17 faceoffs. She also had four shots on goal.

“I think she played her best game yet,” said coach Matt Hagman.

Wickenheiser wasn't so sure.

“I think the game I played before this was my best game, but obviously I didn't score or get any points.”

Kirkkonummi has six games remaining before the playoffs. Their next game is on Feb. 13 at Anjalankoski.

“We have a good shot at winning the championship,” said Wickenheiser. “I think we have the talent to be able to do it."

[aFinn]

Thanks for the info Matti and Jamie! :D

And she SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORES!!!!! :up:

[Ammoguy]

Boy it was a long time for the next game :p Today Salamat won their away game 10-3 and Hayley the greaty got one assist point. Details to come sometimes, but "..I don´t see that happening any time soon.."

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Boy it was a long time for the next game :p Today Salamat won their away game 10-3 and Hayley the greaty got one assist point. Details to come sometimes, but "..I don´t see that happening any time soon.." Thanks for the update, Matti! I've been out of action here myself for awhile. Glad to see I didn't miss any Hayley action!

BTW, will you get a chance to see Hayley again? Hey, maybe in the playoffs?!?!

[Ammoguy]

Jamie!!! It´s been a while since we had our last hockey-chat here around.. Yes, there will be lots of opportunities for me to catch Hayley in action. Many of the teams in that group are playing quite close to Helsinki, so it shouldn´t be a problem. At least in the playoffs I´ll be there :up:

[Ammoguy]

Eh, she won 17 out of 19 face-offs tonight!! :shocked:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Jamie!!! It´s been a while since we had our last hockey-chat here around.. Yes, there will be lots of opportunities for me to catch Hayley in action. Many of the teams in that group are playing quite close to Helsinki, so it shouldn´t be a problem. At least in the playoffs I´ll be there :up: Great to hear, Matti!

I'm still waiting for your in-depth scouting report!

And hey, what's this I hear about my Toronto Maple Leafs playing some games in Sweden and (*gasp*) Finland!!!! early next season!! :shocked: :eek:


Leafs to visit Sweden and Finland this September for challenge 2003
February 11, 2003

NEW YORK (Feb. 11, 2003) — The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have officially announced today that the Toronto Maple Leafs will travel to Stockholm, Sweden and Helsinki, Finland this September to participate in the NHL Challenge 2003.

The week-long NHL Challenge, which will consist of NHL Challenge-Stockholm and NHL Challenge-Helsinki, will take place from Friday, Sept.12 to Friday, Sept. 19. The event will feature a four-day Maple Leafs training camp and three preseason games against some of the top-European professional hockey teams. The NHL Challenge-Stockholm will mark a special homecoming for Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin as he returns for the first time in an NHL uniform to play in his native country—as well as face his former team—Djurgarden Hockey Club.

The NHL Challenge 2003 will feature Maple Leafs training camp sessions at Hovet Arena in Stockholm Friday, Sept. 12 through Monday, Sept. 15. Toronto will then travel to Helsinki to play Jokerit of the Finnish Hockey League at Hartwall Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 16. This game will mark the first appearance of an NHL team in Finland since the Winnipeg Jets visited Helsinki in 1994.

The Maple Leafs will return to Stockholm Wednesday, Sept. 17 for a day of training and then face Swedish Elite team Djurgarden at the Globe Arena Thursday, Sept. 18. Toronto completes its NHL Challenge visit by playing a game against Swedish Hockey League 2001 Champion Farjestad at the Globe Arena Friday, Sept. 19. The NHL Challenge games will be officiated by NHL referees and linesmen and will be played in accordance with the rules and regulations that govern NHL games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the most storied franchises in sports history, capturing 13 Stanley Cup Championships since joining the NHL in 1917 (Toronto Arenas). As a member of the “Original Six,” the Leafs claim forty-six members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

“The Toronto Maple Leafs are proud to be part of NHL Challenge 2003,” said Ken Dryden, president of the Toronto Maple Leafs. “Toronto is a great international city and with the Leafs tradition and history we have a broad following in Canada and among hockey fans around the world. We are happy that ‘the team of the Maple Leaf’ will represent the ‘land of the maple leaf’ in Sweden and in Finland next fall.”

Tickets for the NHL Challenge 2003 go on sale to the public Monday, Feb. 17 in Sweden and Monday, Feb. 24 in Finland. Sponsors for NHL Challenge-Stockholm include XBOX, LEGO Sports, EA Sports, Aftonbladet and SwedEvent. Sponsors for NHL Challenge-Helsinki include Helsinki Sanomat, XBOX, LEGO Sports, EA Sports and Nelonen. EMA Telstar, in association with IMG, the Globe Arena, the Swedish Hockey League, the Hartwall Arena and Jokerit is producing the event.

Better go get those tickets, Matti, and you too, Marika!.... :D

[Ammoguy]

:D :D :D I´m trying I´m trying. I heard about the Maple Leafs game yesterday, that´s gonna be something, oh boy :p :p

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Eh, she won 17 out of 19 face-offs tonight!! :shocked: Yup! :shocked: She has become the best in the league!


Originally posted by hockey_fan
And hey, what's this I hear about my Toronto Maple Leafs playing some games in Sweden and (*gasp*) Finland!!!! early next season!! :shocked: :eek:



Better go get those tickets, Matti, and you too, Marika!.... :D Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep, I read about this two days ago too! :D
Tickets, tickets, come on over :D

Colorado Avalanche was supposed to play here, but Sept 11 happenings cancelled those matches back then.

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
Yup! :shocked: She has become the best in the league! Wow! Sounds like she is on fire on the face-offs! :D

Tickets, tickets, come on over :D Hey, I hope you guys can get the tickets, the Leafs are playing great! :D

....Marika, can your contacts help here? ......
Colorado Avalanche was supposed to play here, but Sept 11 happenings cancelled those matches back then. Hmmm.... I didn't know that!

[aFinn]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
....Marika, can your contacts help here? ...... Dunno yet.. might be difficult, I´ll try the normal way, lol

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by aFinn
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep, I read about this two days ago too! :D
Tickets, tickets, come on over :D

WHY THIS IS HAPPENING FOR ME, ALWAYS?!?!?!?!?!? The tickets come out to sale at 24th of February (Monday), and I´ll be that time somewhere in the Netherlands :uhh: :uhh:

well, to choose between Shania and Maple Leafs..

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy


WHY THIS IS HAPPENING FOR ME, ALWAYS?!?!?!?!?!? The tickets come out to sale at 24th of February (Monday), and I´ll be that time somewhere in the Netherlands :uhh: :uhh:

well, to choose between Shania and Maple Leafs.. :( Ohhh... MAN! That's too bad Matti! :down:

But, maybe a friend (*HINT HINT!*) could help you out! :D

Still.....seeing Shania can't be all that bad, ...could it? :D

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
:( Ohhh... MAN! That's too bad Matti! :down:

But, maybe a friend (*HINT HINT!*) could help you out! :D

Still.....seeing Shania can't be all that bad, ...could it? :D

I know what you´re talking about :D:D

You see, my wife is not very interested in buying some bl**d* H-O-C-K-E-Y tickets for me, what a surprise.. :confused::p:phttp://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/ups/icis/ices_tot.gif Hockey is an evil word for her... :p

But still, I prefer seeing Shania, live, in a very intimate Dutch show :p:p

BUT I WANT THE TICKETS TOO!! :D:D

Maybe after my full-length scouting report of Hayley for Maple Leafs, they´ll send me couple of tickets to their VIP-box.. :really: :really:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Maybe after my full-length scouting report of Hayley for Maple Leafs, they´ll send me couple of tickets to their VIP-box.. :really: :really: :funny:
I wouldn't count on it! :D

Maybe, you need to sweet-talk (or, use your imagination here!) your wife some more! ;)

....or is it too late for that? :confused: ;) :D

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
:funny:
I wouldn't count on it! :D

Maybe, you need to sweet-talk (or, use your imagination here!) your wife some more! ;)

....or is it too late for that? :confused: ;) :D

Since she was born, it has been too late to sweet-talk her for hockey :p:p:funny:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Since she was born, it has been too late to sweet-talk her for hockey :p:p:funny: :funny:

Well, I guess she'll probably be more PO'd if she finds out you are going to see Shania with a gaggle of beautiful, young Dutch girls! :shocked: :eek: ;) :) :D :funny:

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
:funny:

Well, I guess she'll probably be more PO'd if she finds out you are going to see Shania with a gaggle of beautiful, young Dutch girls! :shocked: :eek: ;) :) :D :funny:

:funny: :funny: Definitely!!!

You see, we have an agreement http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/deal_2.gif (she hasn´t signed it though) that if not hockey, then I´m allowed to entertain myself "some other ways". And this Shania-gang in the Netherlands suits into this category perfectly http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/roflmao.gif

[Ammoguy]

btw, on saturday Salamat won their home-game 6-5, Hayley played 12 min 25 sec, shot 4 times on goal, and she won 10 out of 14 faceoffs. But after game she was a bit disappointed in her game, so was the coach. Anyway, her 2.5 year-old son, Noah, was "watching" the game on saturday. He arrived to Finland on friday :up:

[Ammoguy]

And on sunday they lost their away game by 6-3. No points or penalties for big H. More detailed to come..

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
:funny: :funny: Definitely!!!
You see, we have an agreement http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/deal_2.gif (she hasn´t signed it though) that if not hockey, then I´m allowed to entertain myself "some other ways". And this Shania-gang in the Netherlands suits into this category perfectly http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/roflmao.gif :funny: :funny:

Hey, I'd like to be a fly on the wall during those negotiations!:D

...and I thought NHL players had tough bargaining sessions! :D

...and thanks for the updates on "the big H"! ;)
I'm sure she'll be happier with her son being there, ....though maybe more distracted! ....:uhh:

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
:funny: :funny:

Hey, I'd like to be a fly on the wall during those negotiations!:D

:funny::funny:Well, you can call em negotiations if you want, but the truth is that we´re not in the same house when there´s a hockey-game going on TV :D

...and I thought NHL players had tough bargaining sessions! :D

:funny::funny::funny:


...and thanks for the updates on "the big H"! ;) I'm sure she'll be happier with her son being there, ....though maybe more distracted! ....:uhh:

Well, I hope she can feel herself more relax nowadays, when she´s having a guy at home also, not only many in the rink :p

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
WHY THIS IS HAPPENING FOR ME, ALWAYS?!?!?!?!?!? The tickets come out to sale at 24th of February (Monday), and I´ll be that time somewhere in the Netherlands :uhh: :uhh:

well, to choose between Shania and Maple Leafs.. Hmm, want me to try and buy a ticket for ya?
Can´t guarantee a success, but..


Sunday Hayley game: Salamat are in the playoffs for sure. :up:

Hayley played 11 min 45 secs, 2 shots, short-handed play, won face-offs 9 of 14..

[Ammoguy]

:shocked: If you´d really like to give a shot for that, I´ll appreciate it a lot!! You know, from somewhere beyond all the others, from the upright corner where no-one can´t see anything. But it´s the atmosphere that counts :D I mean, if you try to get one for me, try the cheapest one :p But if they´re sold out, move to the next category and so on... Perhaps I´ll really find myself from those VIP-boxes.. :funny: :funny:

Woowww, what a service!!

let´s talk about this later this week?

Thanks for the H updates :up: :up:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
Hmm, want me to try and buy a ticket for ya?
Can´t guarantee a success, but..

Sunday Hayley game: Salamat are in the playoffs for sure. :up:

Hayley played 11 min 45 secs, 2 shots, short-handed play, won face-offs 9 of 14.. Hey .... the "Big M" comes up large! (Again! - Great Assist !! ;) )

Thaaaaaanks for the "big H" updates as well! :D :up:


....us hockey fans gotta stick together! .....TEAMWORK!! ... yes!!

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
try the cheapest one :p But if they´re sold out, move to the next category and so on... Perhaps I´ll really find myself from those VIP-boxes.. :funny: :funny:
Did I already mention a friend of mine has a box there :really: :p

Not that we would end UP there :p :funny:

[Ammoguy]

No you didn´t :shocked: :shocked: "Maybe, just maybe.." :p :p

btw, the big H was supposed to drop the first puck on the ice today evening in Oulu, where there is a Finnish Elite-league game between Karpat (my fav, forever and allways:p) and Jyp. She´s a big Hero in Finland already :D:D

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
Did I already mention a friend of mine has a box there :really: :p

Not that we would end UP there :p :funny: All I can say is :

1. Think Positive! :up:

2. Be PERSUASIVE! :D
Heck twist an arm if you have to! ;) :pOriginally posted by Ammoguy btw, the big H was supposed to drop the first puck on the ice today evening in Oulu, where there is a Finnish Elite-league game between Karpat (my fav, forever and allways:p) and Jyp. She´s a big Hero in Finland already :D:D COOL! :cool:

[aFinn]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
Heck twist an arm if you have to! ;) :p Yours? :shocked: But doesn´t your arm still hurt from the last time? :uhh:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
Yours? :shocked: But doesn´t your arm still hurt from the last time? :uhh: NOOOO! Silly! :smirk:
Your FRIEND'S with the Box!..... :)

My arm's are doing fine, now..... ;) :p


.....my pain is a little lower .....:uhh:

[Ammoguy]

Well well, now Mr. Rene Fasel, the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, has opened his muzzle by saying that women should not play in mens teams.

"I admire and respect the courage of Hayley Wickenheiser, but still I feel that mens hockey doesn´t fit for women" Fasel says.

"A big defender may weigh up to 100 kg with all his equipment. It´s all about the safety of a much more frail woman. Hockey is a lot more physical game compared to football, handball or basketball and women aren´t playing in those teams either."

Fasel tells that he doesn´t have anything against womens ice hockey in general.

Get a life, Mr. Fasel :uhh::uhh:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Well well, now Mr. Rene Fasel, the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, has opened his muzzle by saying that women should not play in mens teams.

"I admire and respect the courage of Hayley Wickenheiser, but still I feel that mens hockey doesn´t fit for women" Fasel says.

"A big defender may weigh up to 100 kg with all his equipment. It´s all about the safety of a much more frail woman. Hockey is a lot more physical game compared to football, handball or basketball and women aren´t playing in those teams either."

Fasel tells that he doesn´t have anything against womens ice hockey in general.

Get a life, Mr. Fasel :uhh::uhh: I say let him lace 'em up and go out on the ice with Hayley!

Then let him see for himself how frail she is! :mad: :furious: :D

[aFinn]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
NOOOO! Silly! :smirk:
Your FRIEND'S with the Box!..... :)
A-haaaaaa!!! Thanks for unconfusing me :p :funny:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
A-haaaaaa!!! Thanks for unconfusing me :p :funny: De nada!
"That's what friends are for..." ;) :p

[Ammoguy]

The big H got one nice souvenir from her trip to Oulu last evening :D Draft number 4 by Philadelphia Flyers, Joni Pitkänen (defender in Kärpät) gave her his game-shirt, autographed one of course :p :p In addition she was happy to see Kärpät beating Jyp 2-0 in the legendary Raksila stadium :p :p

Flyers are gonna get a great defender, probably next season already..

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
The big H got one nice souvenir from her trip to Oulu last evening :D Draft number 4 by Philadelphia Flyers, Joni Pitkänen (defender in Kärpät) gave her his game-shirt, autographed one of course :p :p In addition she was happy to see Kärpät beating Jyp 2-0 in the legendary Raksila stadium :p :p

Flyers are gonna get a great defender, probably next season already.. :cool: Cool! :up:

So, your loss is the Flyers gain, huh? :smirk:

"C'est La Vie!" ;) :p

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
:cool: Cool! :up:

So, your loss is the Flyers gain, huh? :smirk:

"C'est La Vie!" ;) :p

Yep, indeed. One other great defender from Kärpät, Janne Niinimaa (nowadays in Oilers), was also drafted for Flyers long time ago..

And just to mention, also Reijo "Reksa" Ruotsalainen came to NHL from Kärpät, woww :up: Oh boy, we make good defenders :D :D

[Ammoguy]

Just to fill in time, I translated this article from yesterdays Kaleva (newspaper of northern Finland) :D While big H was visiting Oulu area on tuesday, she also visited my home district (Iso-Syöte is in Pudasjärvi)

Enjoy!!
-------------
With a big self-confidence to the big miracles

Oulu, Finland

Hayley Wickenheiser, 24, has undergone many unforgettable moments during here visit at Finland.

The visit to Iso-Syöte (Finlands southest fjeld) on tuesday went in no time into top of that list.

"My son, Noah (2 years and 10 months), was able to try skiing for the first time in his life. It was an unique experience for all of us", Wickenheiser tells proudly.

After beginning of January, Noah hasn´t been able to see her mom almost at all.

Wickenheiser has been carving her career in the mens team at Kirkkonummen Salamat - and meanwhile she has been breaking the obsessive slants of hockey world.

One of the tops at face-offs in Suomisarja

Self-confidence is a word that repeats itself many times in Wickenheisers talk. You can see from everything that she´s not going to be jerked by a little worries.

She´s used to get along by herself.

"I´m from a little town called Shaunavon (2000 inhabitants). There wasn´t own team for girls, so I always played with the guys. I learned a lot that time", Wickenheiser says.

"Self-confidence is the key for everything. You can´t survive without it. Top-players have got self-confidence and they´re also showing it. My fav player Mark Messier fits into this category."

In Suomi-sarja Wickenheiser has needed to learn new ways - literally.

"Of course I change my clothes in my own locker room, which by the way usually is a tiny little box. Most of all I´ve got to get used into my new role. The coach (Matti Hagman) has made me play in a defensive role", Wickenheiser explains.

In Canada, Wickenheiser was used to play over 20 minutes per game. In Salamat, her playing time has felt into 12-15 mins.

"I´m pretty satisfied. I feel that I´ve reached the trust of coach and teammates."

The goodness of Wickenheiser doesn´t show up in point chart (1+3=4). Many experts think that she´s one of the best in face-offs at Suomi-sarja.

Wickenheiser admits that it was a lil surprise.

Tackles for and against

Before her first game, the skeptics were having doubts if 175 cm/75 kg Wickenheiser was going to stand the tackles of men.

Fear was needless.

"I´ve been tackled properly and I´ve also been able to give couple of good tackles. I´ve also heard some yelling, but fortunately I don´t understand finnish", Wickenheiser smiles.

Wickenheiser got used to her own team guite quickly.

"After two weeks get-to-know period I felt like I was "one of the guys". I still have to admit that Finn men are a bit quiet and shy, at least in Salamat."

Victory in the Olympics is the most wonderful moment of her career

First -and so far her only- goal in Salamat happened at 1st of February in away game against Titaanit (Nah! it was home game, says Matti :p).

Even though the goal was very remarkable in many ways, Wickenheiser doesn´t say it was something special.

"My goals in Salt Lake City against Finland (semi-final) and USA (final) are the most important ones. The gold metal and the after-game moments with Noah in the ice are the most shining things in my career", emphasizes Wickenheiser, who is called the Wayne Gretzky of womens hockey in Canada.

Maybe against Kiekko-Oulu in playoffs

In the away games of Salamat, the matches has been outsold almost every time.

It is possible, that ickenheiser will be seen playing in Raksila too. If Salamat will win the eastern division, they will play against fourth team in the western division.

In this moment, Kiekko-Oulu is holding that place.

"We don´t care who we´re playing against. Our goal is to win this league and to climb into the next level (called Mestis)."

Wickenheisers self-confidence is high.

Kimmo Siira

-----------

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Just to fill in time, I translated this article from yesterdays Kaleva (newspaper of northern Finland) :D While big H was visiting Oulu area on tuesday, she also visited my home district (Iso-Syöte is in Pudasjärvi)

Enjoy!!
-------------
With a big self-confidence to the big miracles Thanks, Matti, great article! :up:

Thanks for taking the time to translate, I appreciate the effort! :D

GO HAYLEY!!

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
I still have to admit that Finn men are a bit quiet and shy, at least in Salamat
Also elsewhere :p :funny:

Except in bars :rolleyes:

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Just to fill in time, I translated this article from yesterdays Kaleva

Enjoy!!
Thanks Matti!! :up: :kiss:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
Also elsewhere :p :funny:

Except in bars :rolleyes: :funny: :funny:

.....after a few (OK,....several!) drinks, perhaps? ......

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by aFinn
Also elsewhere :p :funny:

Except in bars :rolleyes:

Somehow I´m able to recognize also myself from here :p :p Not that I go to bars, but that shy thing :D

[aFinn]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
:funny: :funny:

.....after a few (OK,....several!) drinks, perhaps? ...... Perhaps :rolleyes:


Originally posted by Ammoguy
Somehow I´m able to recognize also myself from here :p :p Not that I go to bars, but that shy thing :D :funny: You are the perfect example ;) :D :p

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Somehow I´m able to recognize also myself from here :p :p Not that I go to bars, but that shy thing :D Hey, Matti, tell me about it! (Mr. Wallflower, here!) :rolleyes:

Even when I go to bars! :funny:

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by aFinn
:funny: You are the perfect example ;) :D :p
:funny: :funny:
Originally posted by hockey_fan
Hey, Matti, tell me about it! (Mr. Wallflower, here!) :rolleyes:

Nah! I´m too shy to tell about it here, you didn´t know this is a public place?? :rolleyes: I´m too shy to speak here :p

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Nah! I´m too shy to tell about it here, you didn´t know this is a public place?? :rolleyes: I´m too shy to speak here :p :funny: :funny: :funny:

[Ammoguy]

I was away for one week and Salamat lost two home games. I couldn´t find anything else but one penalty because of tripping for Hayley :uhh:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
I was away for one week and Salamat lost two home games. I couldn´t find anything else but one penalty because of tripping for Hayley :uhh: Here are couple of recent articles (Feb 15th, and 16th) about Hayley:

Wickenheiser struggles as team wins

Associated Press
2/15/2003

KIRKKONUMMI, Finland (AP) - Hayley Wickenheiser went pointless as her Finnish men's team Salamat edged PePo HC 6-5 Saturday.

The 24-year-old centre, who led Canada to Olympic gold a year ago in Salt Lake City, played 12 minutes and 25 seconds, had four shots on goal and won 10 of 14 faceoffs.

"It was her most difficult game so far,'' said Salamat coach Matti Hagman, a former NHLer.

Salamat blew a 5-1 lead after two periods and PePo HC came back to tie the game 5-5 in the third period before Wickenheiser's team scored the game-winner with two minutes left.

Wickenheiser of Shaunavon, Sask., signed a contract with Salamat in mid-January.

She didn't get much ice time in the third period Saturday when Hagman made some tactical changes. She has one goal and three assists in eight games with the third-division team.

Two weeks ago, she became the first woman to score a goal in men's pro hockey.

Wickenheiser's adopted son Noah - the son of boyfriend Thomas Pacina - watched her mother play men's hockey for the first time. He arrived Friday for a five-week visit.

Salamat's next game is Sunday at Imatra near the Russian border.
_____________________________________________

Wickenheiser goes pointless again

Canadian Press
2/16/2003

IMATRA, Finland (AP-CP) - Hayley Wickenheiser went pointless for the second straight game as her men's team Salamat lost 6-3 to Kettera in Finnish third-division hockey Sunday night.

The Canadian centre played 11 minutes, had two shots on goal and excelled again at faceoffs, winning nine of 14.

One of her shots, fired from close range, forced Kettera goalie Matti Viitakoski to make one of his best saves in the game.

"We had plenty of scoring chances, but couldn't convert them,'' Wickenheiser said. "And I don't think we've played so bad defensively before.''

Wickenheiser wasn't on the ice for any of Kettera's six goals.

Salamat has already clinched a berth in the playoffs while Kettera - a team based in eastern Finland near the Russian border - improved its chances of making it after this win.

Wickenheiser, 24, who led Canada to Olympic gold a year ago in Salt Lake City, signed a contract with Salamat in mid-January. She has one goal and three assists in nine games.

Two weeks ago, she became the first woman to score a goal in men's pro hockey.

Salamat's next game is Saturday at home in Kirkkonummi, a town near the Finnish capital Helsinki.
_________________________________________________

[Ammoguy]

Thanks, Jamie!! I remember those words from the coach. :uhh: But the good thing is that she doesn´t seem to get minuses on the games!! :up:

[Ammoguy]

Today Salamat won WarKis by 9-4, no points for Hayley, just one lil´ penalty for high-sticking..

btw, I´m just listening via internet my fav teams (Karpat) home game in Raksila, Oulu and I heard how they played IGGG! in the arena :D :D

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
and I heard how they played IGGG! in the arena :D :D YAY!!! :D :up:

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Thanks, Jamie!!

But the good thing is that she doesn´t seem to get minuses on the games!! :up: Yup! Thanks Jamie!!!! :kiss:

Yeah, that is a very good asset to the team :up:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Today Salamat won WarKis by 9-4, no points for Hayley, just one lil´ penalty for high-sticking..

btw, I´m just listening via internet my fav teams (Karpat) home game in Raksila, Oulu and I heard how they played IGGG! in the arena :D :D IGGG in the arena! :cool:

Originally posted by aFinn
Yup! Thanks Jamie!!!! :kiss:

Yeah, that is a very good asset to the team :up: You're very welcome! :kiss:

Yes, her specialities seem to be her face-offs and defensive skills.
Although I'm sure she is dying to get some more points! :D

Here's the latest article on her:

______________________________________________

Wickenheiser off to the playoffs

Canadian Press
3/1/2003

KIRKKONUMMI, Finland (CP) - Hayley Wickenheiser's men's club team Salamat defeated WarKis 9-4 on Saturday to secure home-ice advantage for the playoffs.

Wickenheiser, of Shaunavon, Sask., played 15 minutes 20 seconds for the Finnish Second Division team. She took two shots on goal, won seven of 15 faceoffs but failed to register a point.

"After struggling, it was important to get a win tonight," Wickenheiser said after her team ended a three-game losing streak. "Now it's much easier to go to the most important games of the season."

Salamat clinched second in the Eastern Conference and will host third-place RoKi-79 of Rovaniemi beginning Wednesday in the best-of-three opening playoff round.

Wickenheiser, the MVP of the Olympic women's hockey tournament in Salt Lake where Canada won the gold, has one goal and three assists in 12 games with Salamat.

http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/20030108/hayley_wickenheiser_46395.jpg

______________________________________________

[Ammoguy]

Thanks Jamie!! Woww, it seems that sometimes those news gets faster to Canada than to Helsinki-area :D :D Or You´re a real PRO :p :p

Ok, ok, I´ll go with that latter one, You´re a real PRO what becomes to searching HOCKEY-news :D :D :D

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Thanks Jamie!! Woww, it seems that sometimes those news gets faster to Canada than to Helsinki-area :D :D Or You´re a real PRO :p :p

Ok, ok, I´ll go with that latter one, You´re a real PRO what becomes to searching HOCKEY-news :D :D :D Kiitos, but afterall, it is Hockey! :up:

One has to have their priorities straight! :D :p

[aFinn]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
You´re a real PRO what becomes to searching HOCKEY-news :D :D :D Originally posted by hockey_fan
Kiitos, but afterall, it is Hockey! :up:

One has to have their priorities straight! :D :p :funny: :funny:

Thanks Jamie :kiss:

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
Kiitos, but afterall, it is Hockey! :up:

One has to have their priorities straight! :D :p

Ahh, love those words!! Like Shanias music to my ears :D :D There´s only H-O-C-K-E-Y that rules in winter sports!! :up:

[Ammoguy]

Last evening there was a short interview of Hayley in Finnish TV (actually it was on Swedish-language program, just to mention :p). Mostly it was about the usual things, how good she´s on the face-offs and defending and so on.. But at the end she said that the worst thing is that she doesn´t feel the togetherness same way as guys do. She has to be on her own dressing room for most of the time. She goes to the guys dressing room only for 5-10 minutes before the game. That´s the downside in playing with guys..

Otherwise she was very happy of her life in Finland (Who wouldn´t be :D)

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Last evening there was a short interview of Hayley in Finnish TV (actually it was on Swedish-language program, just to mention :p). Mostly it was about the usual things, how good she´s on the face-offs and defending and so on.. But at the end she said that the worst thing is that she doesn´t feel the togetherness same way as guys do. She has to be on her own dressing room for most of the time. She goes to the guys dressing room only for 5-10 minutes before the game. That´s the downside in playing with guys..

Otherwise she was very happy of her life in Finland (Who wouldn´t be :D) Thanks for the info, Matti! :up:

Yeah I suppose it would be hard for her in that way....

....and who wouldn't like Finland! :D

[aFinn]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
....and who wouldn't like Finland! :D Did you know Finland has the purest water in the world? :D

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
Did you know Finland has the purest water in the world? :D Now I do! :)

All the better for great ice, and great beer! :D

...sounds better and better all the time! :up:

...see the "This, is beauty." thread, and see what you can do regarding my finances.... ;) :p :p :kiss:

[Ammoguy]

Yesterday HC Salamat won their first game in playoffs against RoKi79 from Rovaniemi (it´s üp from Arctic Circle :p) by 6-3. Hayley gave assist to the last goal of Salamat :up: No penalties for her. The serie is best of three, so Salamat only need one more victory to move til´ the next round!!

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Today Salamat won WarKis by 9-4, no points for Hayley, just one lil´ penalty for high-sticking..

Wow, just heard that the Canadian ambassador to Finland, Adele Dion, was watching that game in Kirkkonummi :shocked: :shocked:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Yesterday HC Salamat won their first game in playoffs against RoKi79 from Rovaniemi (it´s üp from Arctic Circle :p) by 6-3. Hayley gave assist to the last goal of Salamat :up: No penalties for her. The serie is best of three, so Salamat only need one more victory to move til´ the next round!! YEE-HAW! :D

Here's the article here:

http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/20030111/Wickenheiser2_35478.jpg

Another assist for Wickenheiser

Associated Press
3/5/2003

KIRKKONUMMI, Finland (AP) - Hayley Wickenheiser collected an assist as Salamat beat RoKi of Rovaniemi 6-3 in Finnish men's hockey action Wednesday.

The 24-year-old from Shaunavon, Sask., won 10 of 14 faceoffs and saw 13 minutes 35 seconds of ice time.

The game was the opener of a best-of-three playoff series, with the winning team getting a chance to qualify for promotion to the second highest level in Finnish hockey.

"We showed that we can finish this series in two games,'' Wickenheiser said.

The team flies to Rovaniemi in northern Finland for the second game Saturday.

Since joining the team in January, Wickenheiser has played 12 regular season games for Salamat, scoring one goal and recording four assists.Originally posted by Ammoguy
Wow, just heard that the Canadian ambassador to Finland, Adele Dion, was watching that game in Kirkkonummi :shocked: :shocked: Cool ! :cool:

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
The team flies to Rovaniemi in northern Finland for the second game Saturday.

This clause has raised some discussion here in Finland :p :p Usually teams in this level travel by bus, even though they sometimes need to travel for almost 1000 km one way :uhh: People are now wondering, how can Salamat afford those plane tickets :really: Somebody even said that it´s Hayley who can´t sit in the bus with the smelling guys for 900 km one way... :funny: :funny: :funny:

[Ammoguy]

Thanks for the "stats included" news, Jamie

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
Somebody even said that it´s Hayley who can´t sit in the bus with the smelling guys for 900 km one way... :funny: :funny: :funny: :funny: :funny: :funny:

Oh, I'm sure Hayley has taken some smelly bus rides with the ladies before! :D ;) :p
Originally posted by Ammoguy
Thanks for the "stats included" news, Jamie .....and you're welcome! :)

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
:funny: :funny: :funny:

Oh, I'm sure Hayley has taken some smelly bus rides with the ladies before! :D ;) :p

But we know it isn´t the same at all with the guys :funny: :funny: :funny: YIKES :p

[Ammoguy]

Originally posted by hockey_fan
The team flies to Rovaniemi in northern Finland for the second game Saturday.

Now this thing is getting serious.. They´re playing today at Rovaniemi (Salamat are leading by 3-1 after first period) and if RoKi would win this game, there should be third game tomorrow. Now they´ve made a decision NOT to play the third and last game tomorrow at Kirkkonummi.. They´ve moved it to Monday, only because Salamat are flying back home and RoKi should need to take a looooong bus drive.. Hey, this is Fair Play :p :p

Anyway, it seems that they don´t need the third game..

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by Ammoguy
But we know it isn´t the same at all with the guys :funny: :funny: :funny: YIKES :p :funny: :funny:

Yeah, I guess you're right! :D

.....I still remember the bus rides from my high school football days.... WHEEEEW! :rolleyes: ......flashbacks!....
Originally posted by Ammoguy
Now this thing is getting serious.. They´re playing today at Rovaniemi (Salamat are leading by 3-1 after first period) and if RoKi would win this game, there should be third game tomorrow. Now they´ve made a decision NOT to play the third and last game tomorrow at Kirkkonummi.. They´ve moved it to Monday, only because Salamat are flying back home and RoKi should need to take a looooong bus drive.. Hey, this is Fair Play :p :p

Anyway, it seems that they don´t need the third game.. YIKES! :shocked: :eek:

...Keep me posted on the game, Matti! :)

...hopefully that third game will not be required....(no jinx, please!) :uhh:

GO HAYLEY GO! :D

[aFinn]

40 mins 5-7 to Salamat... getting exciting!

[aFinn]

ooops, 46 mins and it´s 6-7 :eek:

[aFinn]

55 mins and 6-8 :up:

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
55 mins and 6-8 :up: .....and????.....it must be over by now! .....:huh: :confused: :huh:

[aFinn]

60 mins 6-9 :D :D :D

[canoilers]

:up: :up: :up: Thank you guys for the updates.

[hockey_fan]

Originally posted by aFinn
60 mins 6-9 :D :D :D Woo-Hoo! :D:up:

..