WHA Champions Ketola and Riihiranta Return to Finland with Winnipeg Jets; Other News from June 2, 1976

Finnish ice hockey stars Veli-Pekka Ketola and Heikki Riihiranta have returned to Finland as champions of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Their Canadian team, the Winnipeg Jets, secured the WHA title by decisively defeating the Houston Aeros in four straight games in the finals. This victory, marked by winning the prestigious Avco Cup, brings significant financial rewards and professional satisfaction to the Finnish duo. Ketola, visibly bearing the marks of the intense final series with a black eye and difficulty using his right hand, confirmed the substantial bonus each player received. "Each player received an additional $15,000 for the championship win (about 59,000 Finnish marks)," Ketola explained. This bonus adds to their already considerable earnings, with professional players in the league estimated to earn between 200,000 and 300,000 Finnish marks for the entire season. Both players expressed contentment with the demanding season, with Ketola grinning, "It went well. We won."

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Each player received an additional $15,000 for the championship win.

In other news from June 2, 1976, an explosion in the kitchen of the Mänty Motel in Mäntyharju caused a devastating fire that destroyed the main building and the guest wing. The motel, owned by Rautakirja Oy and leased to Matkaravinto Oy, was a popular stopover on the main highway. The estimated damages are in the millions of Finnish marks. Meanwhile, the Finnish Parliament approved a ban on advertising alcohol, including medium beer, by a significant majority. The proposal faced opposition primarily from the National Coalition Party, whose representatives argued it could lead to a series of prohibition-like measures. Additionally, customs officers in Helsinki seized over twenty extra bottles of alcohol during a surprise inspection of vehicles arriving from West Germany and Poland at the South Harbour. Despite the use of two drug-sniffing dogs, no illicit substances were found, but a young German couple was caught with a large quantity of extra beer and spirits hidden in their camper van.

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It went well. We won.