Finnish ice hockey team's equipment manager stayed calm during World Championship final goal

The Finnish ice hockey team's World Championship victory was met with explosive joy from players and coaches, but one man stood out for his calm demeanor. Riku Koivunen, the team's 50-year-old equipment manager, was seen walking calmly with gloves tucked under his arm as the winning goal was scored against Switzerland.

“

I was just doing my usual maintenance work, and was in the middle of changing gloves. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the guys were getting up from the bench. I sensed from experience that there was likely a scoring chance coming, and that's what happened.

Koivunen explained his seemingly detached reaction, stating he was in the middle of changing gloves when he noticed his teammates rising from the bench. "I sensed from experience that there was likely a scoring chance coming, and that's what happened," he recounted. He stepped aside to place the gloves on the bench before the rest of the staff erupted in celebration.

While the viral video showed a man with a stoic expression, Koivunen insists he did celebrate. "Of course, this is a great thing to rejoice about. We started congratulating and hugging the guys," he said, emphasizing it's their style to "finish the job first and then celebrate."

“

I stepped aside a bit so I could put the gloves down on the bench. The other support staff started to rejoice, as they should. I was a bit to the side, and then we celebrated in a calm manner.

His dedication extends beyond the game's final moments. Koivunen's role as equipment manager involves collecting, packing, and cleaning up regardless of whether a gold or silver medal hangs around their necks. "When the celebration has subsided, we have to collect all the belongings. We finally got to the hotel around 3:30 in the morning," he noted.

“

Yes, this is a great thing to rejoice about. We started congratulating and hugging the guys, that's our style.

Koivunen, who has been with the national team since the 2010 World Championships, has witnessed numerous victories, including an Olympic gold, two Olympic bronzes, four World Championships, and three World Championship silvers. Despite his extensive experience, he admits his reaction to the first championship in 2011 was more exuberant. "As you get older, calmness just increases," he reflected, adding, "You can't help your nature."

“

Finish the job first and then celebrate.