End of season evaluation and review part 1

Sotkamo were top of the class this year, but their performance wasn’t all plain sailing


Places 1-5

Now that the season has finished, it is take to take a look back at how the teams performed in 2020. This first post focuses on the top 5 as they finished in the regular season and considers how they performed in the postseason.


Some general observations for the top 5: Joensuu had the world at their feet coming into the postseason, and they feared no opponents. With a winning streak that went to 23 games in total, they looked almost unstoppable, only their local rivals (Kitee) proved to be a challenge. But the bubble burst with a short series against KPL who unlocked Joensuu’s defence at Kerubi in game 1 and Joensuu imploded, losing to KPL and the bronze series to Vimpeli. There was clearly a lot of expectation in the Joensuu ranks, as there had been all year, but a spirited KPL were determined to seize the moment.


The moment however may never have been, if Kitee had clinched the series against KPL. A back and fore series saw KPL on the back foot after Kitee levelled at Rantakenttä, but the depth of experienced players in Kouvola’s lineup made the difference. If Kitee had won the series, it is worth thinking whether Joensuu would have still lost? They may well have, but the two teams weren’t destined to play again in the postseason.


Sotkamo showed flashes of brilliance with moments of apathy in the outfield; when Vimpeli overturned a 9-1 deficit in the second jakso of game 2, it was a combination of true grit and determination from Vimpeli and a total drain of Sotkamo’s energy in defence. To the casual observer it looked like Sotkamo had taken the decision to try and win the series in game 3 rather than attempt a win in extra innings. But they showed some clearly dominant moments too, especially in clutch moments, like Roope Korhonen’s 4 run home run in the supervuoro of game 2 in the final against KPL.


Vimpeli had a lot of fight in them and if they had been able to hold on in game 3, they would have posed an interesting threat for KPL. The fact that Vimpeli won bronze in a dramatic series against Joensuu proves that they were hungry for a medal; if it was gold they were playing for, the final could have been explosive.


1st Sotkamon Jymy - Gold

There was a lot of drama off the pitch and talk about game manager picking his 17 year old son Appo Komulainen over one of the top Lukkari in the game, Ville Väliaho, but the results speak for themselves. Sotkamo proved that they had enough firepower at bat and enough quality in Aapo and the team’s defence to win. Whilst there were moments when the offence stuttered or defensively it seemed as though they had given up, Sotkamo had just enough to make this their championship year. 

Final place in table: 2nd

Estimated position: 2nd - At the halfway point in the season I predicted a 2nd place finish in the table, which was where they ended up; they were never a real threat to Joensuu, but equally they were a cut above the others in the regular season.

Comment: Some errors in the final tests this year, but they were top of the class. Well done.

Overall grade:    

A


2nd Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat - Silver

In the early part of the season KPL sat at the top of the table, with Sotkamo close behind. By the end of the regular season it looked like KPL were all out of steam and had no energy left, dropping into 4th in the table. A close series against 5th place Kitee gave them a wake up call and they eyed up the victory against Joensuu, overturning the champions and reaching the final once more. History however would not be made this year and KPL’s search for a championship continues.

Current place in table: 2nd

Estimated final position: 1st

Comment: An excellent start to the year and certainly one of the stars of the class. Must keep up the good work and not get distracted by others in the class.

Overall grade:    

A


3rd Vimpelin Veto - Bronze

Project Vimpeli were knocking in the door this season, but there were just too many missed opportunities and moments to carry them into the final. After losing out to Sotkamo in the Semifinals, Vimpeli defied the odds and won bronze against Joensuu.

Final place in table: 3rd

Estimated final position: 4th - Vimpeli just grew and grew in the season and almost broke through in a year with short series.

Comment: Excellent pupil and has really grown this year. There is still lots to learn, but hopefully they will start next year with the same energy.

Overall grade:    

B


4th Joensuun Maila

The regular season saw the 2019 champions on an incredible run of wins, that extended to the semi finals, but that is where the luck ran out and Joensuu faltered. After a home loss to KPL, things went from bad to worse as JoMa failed to progress to the final and then lost out in the bronze series to a fired up Vimpeli. Whilst the regular season was virtually flawless, it’s medals that count and for a team that promised so much, it is a shame that their season fizzled out this way.

Final place in table: 1st

Estimated final position: 3rd on the calculations, but I predicted 1st.

Comment: A great performance all year until the final exams. Very disappointing; I expected more.

Overall grade:    

B-


5th Kiteen Pallo -90

Kitee’s start to the season has been considered as one of the biggest positive surprises this season; however mid way through the season they started to slide. With 2020 looking close to being another tough season, Kitee pulled out all the stops and finished 5th in the table. Kitee’s postseason was cut short by KPL, but not before tying the series.

Final place in table: 5th

Estimated final position: 7th

Comment: Seemed a little distracted in the middle of the season but finished strong.

Overall grade:    

B-


Photographs

Cover - (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2020


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