Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Ex-Red Wings signee Olkinuora still struggling in Sweden; Top trade target Meier suffers injury

Olkinuora a loser in his first two SHL decisions

Published

1 year ago

February 20, 2023

Bob Duff

Former Red Wings goalie hopeful Jussi Olkinuora is winless since joining Brynas of the SHL.

The Detroit Red Wings brought in goaltender Jussi Olkinuora in the hopes he’d challenge for a role on the club. The Finnish netminder was, after all, coming off a season in which he’d won an Olympic gold medal and world title and been named MVP of the latter tournament.

Instead, Olkinuora couldn’t even cut it with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins and was cut loose earlier this month. He quickly caught on in Sweden with Brynas of the SHL. However, it isn’t going swimmingly for Olkinuora there, either.

Crazy how much Jussi Olkinuora has been a stand-out goalie internationally and completely lost on North American ice. He's signed with Brynäs, who've had goaltending nightmares and sit third-from-last with 12 games left in the SHL season. https://t.co/8XlquL0l4s

— Kevin Lacy 🇺🇦 (@KevinLacy22) February 3, 2023

He’s made three appearances for Brynas and is 0-2. Olkinuora is showing a 4.38 goals-against average and .825 save percentage. Brynas is 13th in the 14-team SHL, in danger of relegation to the Allsvenskan.

There was a 5-2 loss to Linkoping to start. Next, Olkinuora came on in relief of Anders Lindback in a 7-1 loss to Oskarshamn, allowing four goals on 14 shots.

Pulling himself from the game, Lindback went straight to the dressing room and didn’t rejoin the team on the bench. In Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Leksands, Olkinuora got the start, allowing two goals on 14 shots. His backup was Isac Grönhagen.

“I am absolutely sure that we have two goalkeepers who are experienced and who will help us in the final stages of the season,” Brynas coach Mikko Manner told Aftonbladet. I”‘m so glad we have the two of them. I’m 100% sure they can handle this and help the team.”

Griffins Keep Road Streak Going

The AHL Griffins were extending their road winning streak to five games via a 5-4 shootout win over the Manitoba Moose on Sunday. It was the first win by Grand Rapids in seven visits to Manitoba (1-5-1) though.

Victor Brattstrom stopped two shots in the shootout, with Austin Czarnik and Elmer Soderblom scoring for the Griffins. Brattstrom also collected an assist while earning the victory.

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Red Wings Next Game

It’s a game with huge playoff implications as Detroit is completing a five-game road trip on Tuesday at Washington against the Capitals. The Red Wings are two points behind the Capitals with three games in hand.

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