I don’t like when people complain about Anttila, yes we have about a 100 better forwards to pick from but he actually makes the team better than most of them also he is Jalonen’s key player, this is not the same situation as with Lasse Kukkonen (Oh no) who only brought leadership or Aki Berg (GOD NO, NEVER AGAING) who did nothing but hurt the team.
-Anttila is a good leader and a locker room guy.
-Anttila is actually very good forechecker and defender with his stick (His size sure helps with that). And forechecking has always been a big part of Finnish hockey.
-Even thought he lacks physicality his size still gives him an unique ability to take space away from the opposition, this is very effective especially of his poke checking skills and reach. There is also the intimidation effect but opposition players have to play extra carefully not to get their puck poked away. This ability makes the defending job for the rest of the Finnish players easier because the opposition has much less space.
-He has also been very clutch when playing with Jalonen. He shouldn’t be, he doesn’t have the offensive skill but he has been scoring when it matters, luck or not it would be stupid not to pick him when he has been on fire and brought 2 gold medals and one silver from the last 3 tournaments.
Even if the last point had been just flukes, it still has a psychological effect on him, his teammates and the opposition, againg taking some focus away from the other Finnish players that are actually much bigger scoring threats.
Wouldn’t be surprised in Anttila scored one or more game winning or tying goals, can’t explain why or how but he has been clutch.