Performance rankings - 17th to 23rd August 2020

Vimpeli blank KPL to show that they are a force to be reckoned with

As the chances to make it into the top 8 are running out for most teams, it’s time to get to make a final push for the end of the season. Here are last week’s performance rankings:


1st Vimpelin Veto

Vimpeli have been an interesting project to watch this season and the pieces have been coming together for some time. Despite some losses to teams like Kankaanpää, which have been tough to explain, Vimpeli proved that they are the full package and are capable of anything this season when they beat KPL 2-0 at home and stopped KPL from scoring in the entire game. Perttu Ruuska is performing extremely well at the plate and as a pitcher. Vimpeli’s explosive offence has left teams on the back foot against a very challenging defence. The only question that remains is how will they perform against Joensuun, who they won’t face in the regular season.


2nd Kiteen Pallo-90

Kitee continue to be the most exciting development for 2020. A team that was written off before the start of the season has proven to be a consistent thorn in Joensuu’s side and the only team that has come close to toppling the champions. Last week saw Kitee beat Sotkamo and give them even more confidence: could they be serious contenders for the championship? With shortened series this year in the post season, even a single loss to Kitee could be enough to give them a place in this years final.


3rd Joensuun Maila

Joensuu are still the top team in the league and are on a winning streak that goes back to 9th July against local rivals Kitee. They slip down in last week’s performance rankings only because of the fact that the opponents they face do not give them enough points in my calculations- basically you expect  them to win every game.


Worst performance - Kankaanpään Maila

Where Kankaanpää were once contenders for a top 8 spot, the wheels seem to have well and truly come off in the last few weeks and they are now 13th in the table after Manse leapfrogged them with wins last week. Nothing seems to be clicking for KaMa and whilst their games against KPL and Hyvinkää were always going to be tough, they needed to do more to stop the slide.


Worthy of note - Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat

It’s been quite a fall from grace for KPL in August, after leading the league for most of the first half of the season they now sit in 4th place. Last week was particularly difficult for Kopla who lost to Vimpeli in spectacular fashion and their offence was completely shut down and they were scoreless in the whole game. KPL are still a winning team and have a solid lineup, but last week’s loss to Vimpeli really took the wind out of their sails. 


Photographs 
Cover - (c) Vimpelin Veto 2020

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