Here are notes on some of the top performers from yesterday’s U18 game between HIFK and Kärpät. The pace of the game was extremely fast right away and the visitors opened the scoring with two quick goals in less than seven minutes into the first period. Kärpät would eventually go on to win the game 7-3. The shots on goal were 60-26 for Kärpät. Despite the loss, HIFK goalie Henri Risikko played well – Kärpät had the scoring chances to score even more than seven goals.
02 F Aatu Räty (Kärpät)
The highly skilled center was extremely difficult to contain. He made a lot of plays in the final third and carried the puck into the zone for clean zone entries. His stickhandling in traffic and poise were truly impressive. Räty finished the game with three goals and two assists.
03 F Samu Tuomaala (Kärpät)
Tuomaala also had a 5-point game and created a ton of offense. His acceleration and top speed both are really good. He can carry the puck up the ice with ease and can both score and set up his teammates for scoring chances. An intriguing prospect to keep an eye on.
02 D Arttu Paaso (Kärpät)
Paaso is a smaller, skilled defenseman who moves the puck well from the backend. He controlled the puck well at the point and unleashed some quick wristers on net. He’s agile with good footwork and backwards skating as well. Paaso played on the second pairing alongside right-shot D Ville Ottavainen, who also looked solid. Ottavainen played a physical game, had strong straight-ahead speed and some puck moving ability.
02 F Antti Myllyaho (Kärpät)
Myllyaho, who might be already close to 6’4, is surprisingly mobile. He’s a coordinated, powerful skater with good quickness in his first few strides. He had a strong stick and competed hard without the puck. He wasn’t around the puck a whole lot but made some decent plays when having the puck on his stick.