The keeper for the next Kloten Hallelujah

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The coaching skills of Jeff Tomlinson, the spectacle of Jonathan Ang, the NHL scout magnet David Reinbacher, the surefire group of Finns. In Kloten’s impressive season, Juha Metsola – unjustly – flew a little under the radar. The Finnish goalkeeper has proven over the past two weeks at the latest: when the stakes are high, he is on point.

First the 3-1 victory in Langnau, with which the promoted team secured the competition. Then the strong performance in the last qualifier in Davos with a 4-1 win that puts them in the pre-playoffs. And on Thursday the equalizer in the miniseries against Bern with a 4-1 win. In three important matches, Metsola conceded just one goal each, giving them the support they needed in those crucial moments.

“They shouldn’t let them get under our skin”

He did not realize that after seven seasons in the KHL (Ufa, Khabarovsk) he made the switch last summer to a promoted team, which as an outsider mainly strives to stay in the league. “For me, the playoffs are always the goal,” says the 34-year-old, “so I wanted to bring my experience to the team, my best self.”

And playoffs can Metsola. He played 94 games in the top Finnish and Russian leagues before coming to Kloten. He showed his best season in 2018/19 in Ufa: Best goalkeeper, All-Star-Game, goalkeeper of the week three times, twice a month, best catch percentage in the playoffs (95.6%).

Now the climber is missing out on a playoff coup win. “I’m very excited and maybe a little nervous,” Metsola admits, “but that’s a good sign.” His focus is therefore extra sharp. The Finn also emphasizes that his team can only win, but Bern can. “This is a great opportunity for us. Anything can happen.”

The emotions overflowed again, as in the final phase of the second game in front of his penalty area. “I like it when the boys play hard. I like to watch it.” But the veteran also warns, “We shouldn’t let them get under the skin.”

Source : Blick