Next up for the Pittsburgh Penguins - Jokerit

by FrankD on Sep 29, 2008 2:00 PM EDT in News

Jokerit_medium

Jokerwha?

Apparently the Jokerit team has been around since 1967. Who woulda known? They were founded the same year as the Penguins which I guess makes it kind of interesting. If you want to look at it that way.

The team hails from Helsinki, Finland, but during Thursday's preseason game will play out of Stockholm, Sweden against the Penguins in the last exhibition game of the season.

Sometimes you have to wonder how serious some countries take their teams when they come up with logos like this. Then again, I do recall a little logo from the 90s that more or less destroyed the reputation of one club:

Anaheimducksthrowbacklogo_medium

17 - The number of players and coaches on Jokerit whose names end with "en." If you thought Philly was bad with their Timmonen and Pitkanens, this is going to take announcing to a whole new level.

But there is/was (not exactly sure if he's on the team now until I see the roster) one player on Jokerit who once donned the black and gold. Remember Jani Rita? Remember how incapable he was at adapting to the NHL? Well apparantly for Jokerit he was more than just an above average player.

In a one-year deal with the team in 2006-07, Rita scored 32 goals and added 20 assists over 56 games. Compared to his 9 goals, 5 assist over 65 games (and two teams in four seasons) that is pretty impressive. I don't know where his contract sits right now with the team, but I'd like to see him out there on the ice if possible.

[EDIT: 2:15pm - Rita is on the Jokerit roster]

Then again, I won't be seeing this game and I'm sure most of you are in that same boat. 11:30 am on Thursday? I guess that's what we get for having them open the season overseas. My only concern is that their schedules are straight for when they play Ottawa this weekend and they can readjust in the week off in between.

Ironically enough, the Penguins and Jokerit have one more thing in common. They both fought through financial ruin to remain alive in their respected leagues.

Notable players to graduate from Jokerit: Thrashers' Kari Lehtonen, Teemu Selanne (played during lockout) and Chicago's Brian Campbell (also during lockout).

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Who’s broadcasting that game? That’s one bonus to being a student – plenty of free time in the middle of the work day.

by Dayna on Sep 29, 2008 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know if WXDX will be there (in fact I highly doubt it) but the Penguins have been posting up podcast updates in between periods during the preseason so that might be the best bet.

If the NHL network has it on you might be able to catch it there, or if anything there is always channelsurfing.net

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Sep 29, 2008 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info! Of course what I really mean is that I will obviously be spending that time studying extremely diligently and not thinking about hockey at all.

by Dayna on Sep 29, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Just like I’m doing right now.

by Dayna on Sep 29, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

And I will be at work without headphones on…of course.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Sep 29, 2008 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Penguins vs Jokerit

Dont expect too much from JOkerit…. they arent the best team here at the moment at all.
They were the champions last time at 2002 but after that it’s only been downhill.
Oulun Kärpät (Oulu’s Ermines / Stoats :) ) has dominated 20th century.. or 21st ? anyways from 2003- to this day. They were the champions 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008
also 2 silver medals ; 2003,2006 and a bronze medal from 2002 if I remember right.
They just crushed Jokerit 6-0 last week.

But I hope Jokerit can give a nice match and get theyr game rolling. THey just took a nice win of Lahti’s Pelicans today 5-2 so they may be on fire at thursday :P

by JokeritEqualsAbigfailure on Sep 30, 2008 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

Haha gotta say, I love that username. I don’t know if many people here will actually be able to catch the game, but I’d imagine the NHL Network will perhaps have a replay or at least highlights later in the day. It’ll be live at 11:30 a.m. Pittsburgh time, so Internet radio + headphones at work is probably our best bet.

So if you had to make a score prediction, what would you say? The Rangers just killed SC Bern the other day 8-1.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Oct 1, 2008 6:39 AM EDT up reply actions

“Metallurg Magnitogorsk 3-4 Rangers, Final.”

Ummm.. I’d say Pittsburgh is going to win 4-2.

Ummm.. I’d say Pittsburgh is going to win 4-2.The season has just started here and especially Jokerit is just trying to get used to they’re new play tactics.. u know. Glen Hanlon demands a very strict play style here and it takes all the creativity away from players and they’re just getting used to it. Lets C

by JokeritEqualsAbigfailure on Oct 1, 2008 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions