when I moved to Finland in 2002 I didn’t know anyone, but my girlfriend. No one. Zero. Niente. I started looking for hockey teams and practiced with two or three until I kind of settled in with one of them, the Vaajakosken Pelikaanit, playing division III. I played two seasons for them, partially 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. Hockey proved to be the bridge that I had so dearly looked for I met Ari, Kaapo, Markus and Mikko and all of them – in one way or another – helped me settle in. This might explain a little better why I tool my hockey gear from Austria to Finland – even this time and even if Astrid thinks I am crazy (and she has to bare with it). Yesterday after five years and for one hour I became a pelican again, playing for them in a 6-5 exhibition victory over the club’s A-junior team. My line scored five goals, two by myself. There were three guys playing I still knew from back then and when we left the rink one said “great game” – It really was and the score didn’t matter at all. Not this moment.
I believe.
PS: “Virtanen and Lahtinen had decided to go drinking at their summerhouse. For a couple hours, both men sat silently and emptied their bottles. After a few more hours, Lahtinen decided to break the ice: “Isn’t it nice to have some quality time?” Virtanen viciously looked at Lahtinen and answered: “Are we here to drink or talk?”