Story Summary
Olli Jokinen has come under sharp criticism after HIFK’s 3-2 overtime defeat to Jokerit in the Stadin derby, with hockey analyst Petteri Sihvonen calling for the club to dismiss its head coach.
Sihvonen argued that his case was not based solely on the derby result, but on what he described as HIFK’s chronically poor play. HIFK entered the game third from bottom in the Liiga table and remained there after the defeat.
HIFK were kept in the contest by Hugo Alnefelt’s saves and Daniel Mäkiaho’s two goals. Mäkiaho equalised late with HIFK’s goaltender off the ice, before Alexander Forslund scored the overtime winner for Jokerit.
As a possible replacement, Sihvonen put forward Ville Viitaluoma, while also raising the alternative of strengthening Jokinen’s coaching staff should HIFK retain their current head coach.
Key Facts
- Petteri Sihvonen called on HIFK to dismiss head coach Olli Jokinen.
- HIFK lost the Stadin derby to Jokerit 3-2 in overtime.
- Daniel Mäkiaho scored both HIFK goals, including a late equaliser with the goaltender off the ice.
- Alexander Forslund scored the overtime winner for Jokerit.
- HIFK began the derby third from bottom in the Liiga standings.
- Sihvonen suggested Ville Viitaluoma as a possible new HIFK head coach.
- Viitaluoma, 45, is HIFK’s U20 head coach this season and an assistant coach with Finland’s under-18 national team.
- The former forward is known as an HPK legend and also played for HIFK.
IHM Discussion
The immediate issue is not a confirmed coaching change, but the force of Sihvonen’s public assessment of HIFK’s situation. He maintained that the derby loss should not be viewed in isolation, arguing instead that the team’s underlying standard of play has been poor over a longer period.
His proposed responses were clear: replace Jokinen with Viitaluoma, or add coaching support to Jokinen’s staff if HIFK do not make a change. Viitaluoma would be a notable internal option given his current work with HIFK’s U20 side, alongside his role with Finland’s under-18 team, but neither route has been announced by HIFK.
Why It Matters
The defeat left HIFK in the lower reaches of the Liiga table and intensified scrutiny of Jokinen’s position. HIFK showed resilience in recovering late through Mäkiaho, and Alnefelt’s saves helped keep the derby close, but the overtime loss gave Jokerit the result.
For HIFK, the significance lies in the wider debate around the coaching set-up rather than in any confirmed decision. Sihvonen’s criticism has placed both Jokinen’s position and the composition of his staff under public focus.
Mini Q&A
Has HIFK dismissed Olli Jokinen?
No. Veeti Kantoluoto called for Jokinen’s dismissal, but no coaching change was announced.
Who has been suggested as a possible replacement?
Sihvonen proposed Ville Viitaluoma, HIFK’s current U20 head coach and an assistant coach with Finland’s under-18 national team.
What happened in the derby?
Jokerit beat HIFK 3-2 in overtime. Daniel Mäkiaho scored twice for HIFK, while Alexander Forslund scored the overtime winner.