By Dale Woodard /
Juha Metsola knows very well the challenge that lies ahead.
If the starting netminder for the Lethbridge Hurricanes wants to earn the number one goaltender’s spot for Team Finland at the World Junior Championship Dec. 25 to Jan. 5 in Ottawa, he knows the competition will be stiff.
After all, he knows the competition.
Metsola departed Dec. 19 to head to Team Finland’s camp in Toronto, and will compete for crease time with an old friend he used to compete against back in Finland with netminder Harri Sateri also on hand.
It won’t be the first time the long-time friends have battled for playing time.
“We did the same thing two years ago at the Under-18 World Championship,” said Metsola. “It was fun. It’s a good challenge. He’s a great goalie and it’s going to be tough competition.”
However, it will be a competition between the two friends who clashed more than once back in Finland.
“I know him really well,” said Metsola, who won’t be the only Hurricane at this year’s World Junior Championship with forward Zach Boychuk already off to join Team Canada. “We lived in the same town and went to the same school. We’ve played against each other since we were five-years-old.
It’s pretty cool. I talk to him every week. We’re good friends. That’s going to be so much fun.”
Having faced his fellow goaltender since he was a toddler, Metsola is well-versed on Sateri.
“He’s a little bigger than me,” he said. “So that’s a good thing for him.
He’s quick and a great goalie.”
Whatever happens at the Toronto camp, the ‘Canes netminder was simply happy to have a chance to compete for a roster spot.
“They told me about a week ago,” said Metsola who hails from Tampere, Finland. “I was really surprised. I knew they don’t follow this league too closely, but it was good news and I’m really happy about that.”
Having posted a 14-12-0-1 record to go along with a 2.69 goals-against average and four shutouts, Metsola has earned the chance to compete for his country, said Hurricanes head coach Mike Dyck.
“[We spoke] briefly and he’s excited. He’s worked hard for it. He’s earned that opportunity and played very well. We hope he does well and gets a lot of confidence and a great experience that we can build on for the second half (of the season). For some guys it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Any time you get to represent your country it’s a huge honour and something he’ll remember forever.” |
