niinijuuri

LIKE THE COACH: Finland's success looks good on coach Raimo Summanen.

When defenceman Janne Niinimaa quit the team after the preliminary round, rumours of dissension were rife. But the incident only drew the remaining players closer together.

"He wants to win every game," centre Olli Jokinen said of Summanen. "It doesn't matter if we're playing Japan or Canada.

"If you're not ready to play, he's going to wake you up. This tournament has proved he's a good coach."

In the past, said Jokinen there were factions within the team. Veterans formed one group and younger players another. That's not the case now.

"We're pulling the same rope," said Jokinen.

So, nobody in the room hates the demanding Summanen?

"That's media stuff," said Jokinen. "He's willing to do whatever it takes to win. That's his job. If you're not ready, he's going to wake you up. That's how it should be."