Laine frustrated after elimination, remains quiet about offseason plans

[Laine 1,361]

Helsinki, Finland - Game 5 against Malmo was a tough game for any Titans players. Helsinki, who led the best of 5 series 2-0, lost three in a row to be eliminated from playoff contention. In quite possibly his last game in a Helsinki Titans uniform, Winger Patrik Laine was ejected 3:38 into the game after a scrum ensued shortly after Malmo tied the game 1-1. Laine was given a fighting major and was ejected from the game for instigating a fight. Helsinki went on to lose 7-4.

 

"I think the fact that I got ejected is bulls--t. I didn't try to start a fight at all, I was just sticking up for a teammate. If they're going to push and shove after the whistle and get into the face of our goalie and our players, I'm not gonna stand for that. You can see (Walkers) drop his gloves first and go after me. How the f--- do I get ejected for that? Like they're getting in Driver's face. What do you want me to do, play Patty Cake with them?"

Laine, an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) this offseason has remained quiet so far about what his future holds for him. He still kept it quiet even after elimination.

"I really don't know yet. I don't focus on that stuff during the season, I just focus on playing hockey. I'm sure Ray, Hat and I will talk about it before the FA market opens, but right now I'm just focused on the fact that we didn't get the job done."

Helsinki has had multiple Cup Finals appearances with Laine on the team, but still can't get over the hump. Laine says he doesn't believe this will change anything in negotiations.

"Obviously I'm upset at the repeated failure, I really am. That being said, this doesn't change the fact that Helsinki is a great place though. We've been to the finals twice in my time here and we've run into some really respectable teams to lose to like the Bears and Wolves, but I still believe this team can get over the hump. We have everything it takes to get to the top, but we just need a bit of luck."

 

Laine had his worst season since his rookie year, with it only being the second season of his career he has failed to reach 30 goals (29) and was a career worst -2. However, Laine did show his playoff prowess once again, potting 4 goals and 7 points in 5 games against the Nighthawks.

"The regular season was definitely tough. I just didn't feel like myself and I was missing chances I usually bury, and to be honest, I wasn't doing much at the other end of the ice either. I was trying so hard near the end of the regular season to break out, but it just wasn't in the cards. I really found my old self against Malmo though. I was hitting and backchecking, everything, more intensely and better than ever before. I want that series so f---ing bad. I hope I can wake up next season, but I'm definitely happy with what I saw near the end of the season."

(533 words)

[Ledge 1,131]

Wow, this is really well written. The first interview paragraph is very much something I would expect out of a player's mouth. Great read

[JB123 728]

Review: Awesome article. Good combination of interviews and background info. You provided good context, easy to understand. Only suggestion might be an image, but other than that well done. 9/10