This past match week MAC played two home games away from the Tüskecsarnok, because of an unfortunate scheduling conflict the two Budapest derbies against Ferencváros and UTE were played in Kaposvár and UTE respectively. One of the key players was Niko Saarenpaa who scored the all important opening goal against FTC and the overtime game winner against UTE to go along with his three assists and is this week’s Player of the Week.
Niko Saarenpaa comes from Finland where he played his junior seasons with Karpat, the same team that Balázs Sebők did. During this time with Karpat he counted Pekka Rinne among his teammates. After his junior years he moved on to play his pro hockey in the Mestis with Hokki where he spent six season and won the league in 2006-07. He was also teammates with future MOL League players Jussi Tapio, Kim Kautonen and Matt Waddell. He also spent three season in the Swedish third division before going back to Hokki last season where he was teammates with Sebők. This past offseason he made his move to MAC Budapest for his first season abroad.
How important was it to win the two games this week against the two other Budapest teams?
Every point is important because we are in the race for first place, and we actually lost a point yesterday to UTE, that was big disappointment for us and we know we can do better than that.
What is your initial opinion about the MOL League?
There is a large difference between the top and bottom teams, as everyone knows hockey is fast game, so you have to be ready to do your best in every night. Both teams have the same possibility to get that three points in each game.
What was the reason that you decided to sign with MAC and to leave the Scandinavian region?
I heard about this place through my teammate Balázs Sebők last season. Basically I got in contact with the club and I told them that I was interested in playing here, that's how it all started. I have always wanted to see and experience the central European lifestyle and hockey.
Finnish players have been pretty successful playing in the MOL League what is the reason for this?
Hockey is pretty straightforward here, pretty close to our style. Finns usually are good skaters so that help a lot playing this kind of style of hockey
How does you and your family like living in Budapest?
I can't even describe how beautiful the city is, just amazing. My older son plays hockey here and he is so excited about every practice., and when you have happy wife you have happy life right? We have been really happy so far.