Kari Lehtonen
Kari Lehtonen
Kari Lehtonenis a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. He was selected second overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, becoming the highest-drafted European goaltender, as well as the highest Finnish player, ever in NHL history...
ProfessionHockey Player
Date of Birth16 November 1983
CityHelsinki, Finland
break olympic rehab
We will now use the Olympic break as a part of my rehab program.
bother earlier easier games hoping left playing seem situation
I was hoping to play a little more earlier in the season. It's a different situation now. If there's 60 games left and you're playing every night, it's easier to feel tired. There's only (12 games) to go. It doesn't seem like that many. Mentally, that's the big thing, that's why it doesn't bother me.
along compete finland full further game gold groin help hoped injury level needs playing strength strong
I had hoped to be further along with my groin injury and strong enough to help Finland compete for a gold medal, but I'm still not playing at full strength and don't feel my game is at the level it needs to be.
bad couple feels goals great happy pain played
I didn't have any pain at all. A couple of goals I wasn't very happy about. It feels bad because we played a great game.
chance game greatest involved played
This was the greatest game I have ever been involved in team-wise. We played so well. We scored when we had a chance and did not give them many chances.
hurt tough
It's the only thing I can do right now. I don't want to go over there and hurt myself. It would be a tough two weeks.
decision definitely face games handle hardest whatever
It's definitely the hardest decision of my life. But I had to face facts. I can't handle 10 games in two weeks, or whatever it would be.
decision definitely hardest
It was definitely the hardest decision of my life. I'm very disappointed.
biggest came game year
It was the biggest game of the year and I came out after 15 minutes, so it was very tough.
great
It was a must-win tonight, and it was great to get those two points. We need to just keep going like that.
bounce gave lucky power turned
It was 1-0 after 25 minutes, and we had a power play, and that turned it around. It was a lucky bounce for them, but unfortunately, it also gave them confidence.
everybody extra feels great nobody seems tired tough
It's been tough because it seems like we play great and then we can collapse. I think nobody feels tired right now because when you get down to this point, everybody still has that extra push.
amazing crazy few past points
It's been crazy for the past few games. All of our fans, they've been in the games, so it's just an amazing feeling. And we got two points - that's the most important thing.
feels good
To be down 4-1 and come back, it's amazing. It feels good to get the two points.