Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen wasn’t required to join the Buffalo Sabres for practice until Thursday, but since he didn’t play any of the games for Team Finland during the 4 Nations Face-Off, he wanted to get back on the ice Wednesday.
Luukkonen did dress as the backup goalie in Game 1 against the United States, but he was disappointed he didn’t get into any games.
"Of course it was unfortunate not to play. I feel like everyone wanted to play, but, in the end, it was a great experience. I was honored to be part of that team and to represent your nation again," said Luukkonen on Wednesday.
Next year will see the return of NHL players participating in the Winter Olympic Games, and there’s a very good chance Luukkonen will be on Finland’s team for that too. He now knows what to expect ahead of next year in Italy.
"You see how the hockey is, you see how the day-to-day stuff is. You get to know the guys more, and hopefully next year when we’re looking at the Olympics, most of the group will be still together," Luukkonen said.
When Luukkonen is with the Sabres, he is speaking English, which isn’t his first language. When you’re playing for your country, everyone is speaking in their native tongue, and they all have the experience of growing up in that country where culture is different. Luukkonen says that’s what makes playing for your country so unique.
"There’s a lot of players that kind of know each other for a long time. There’s players I played with on the Under-20 or Under-17 teams, so even that makes it better. And, of course, you have your own language. Everyone is from the same country and has a similar culture, so there are so many things that make it a special occasion," the Sabres goalie said.
Along with Luukkonen, Finland had goalies Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators) and Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver Canucks). Luukkonen says he learned from just being around them, and being in practice with them.
"I’ve always said, I think you can learn something from every goalie. They’re both really good goalies," he said. "I think there’s a lot to learn from them, and how they play and how they practice. Overall, it was good to spend some times with them. I mean, it’s unfortunate I didn’t get any playing time, but there’s a lot of good things I took away from the tournament."
Luukkonen said there’s so much pride in a locker room when you’re putting on the jersey of your country. He says they all want to just put it on the line to play for their home nation.
In his seven games before the Nashville Predators game on Feb. 8, Luukkonen was 5-2-0 with a 2.74 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff says his team has to pretty much play .700 hockey the rest of the way to even consider making the playoffs. It would seem Luukkonen has to be even better than those seven games.
In his final 36 games last season, Luukkonen was 20-14-2 with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. He says the focus has to be on playing each game to their capability.
"We have to look at it one game at a time, because that’s all we can do right now," Luukkonen acknowledged. "We have to gather up some wins and go on a streak here to make a playoff push. I feel like it starts with the first game by bringing our 'A' game."
Ruff already said Tuesday his goal for the team will not be easy to achieve, but has also set goals within the overall goal for the players.
"To get to that, we know where our goals-for are (11th in the NHL at 3.13), we’re in a good place there. Our goals-against (28th, 3.41) will have to improve. Take those increments and in a five-game segment, we have to lower that by .4 or .5," explained Ruff. "On special teams, we’ll try to maintain a certain percentage with each of those, set goals for areas of the team that are going to help us win, and if you’re a penalty killer, take some pride in getting your part done."
Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn returned to practice on Wednesday after missing time with back spasms.