Before we arrived in Helsinki, I knew I would have a lot to do. There were lots of interviews and events, but they were all fine. We did a lot of good things around the city. Patrik Laine and I visited a hospital, ate some chicken wings and played some EA Sports NHL 19 at Hartwall Arena - it was Panthers vs. Jets.
Unfortunately, Winnipeg won our NHL 19 game 7-6. They scored the winner with 30 seconds left on the clock, but I didn't have a joystick in my hands when it happened. There were two other guys playing, so it wasn't really my fault. But I also won the last game Laine and I played, so we're even in video games.
We'll have to have a rematch on PlayStation pretty soon.
As for the Global Series, we had two games and we got two points. I thought we played great in both of the matchups. With better luck and better scoring, we would have had four points. To get a win in that second game was a big moment for us, though. It was also really big to get Lu [Roberto Luongo] back.
We now have three really good goalies that are healthy. When you have a goalie like Lu, it's awesome. Every team would love to have that type of guy, and we know we're really luck to have him on our team - not just on the ice, but in the locker room and away from the ice, too. He means a lot to everyone.
Laine and I each got a win this trip, but I also should have had four goals like him. I had chances. I had some chances that I passed up. There were times when I should have shot, but I passed instead. But the win is the most important thing. I'm really happy we got that. We're confident right now going forward.
The way we played last night is the way we need to play every game. I didn't see any problems with it at all. This should be our identity. This is how we know we can play and how we're going to play from here on out.
We just need to prepare for the rest of our games like we did for these two against Winnipeg. We need to be excited and have fun on the ice. We need to be brave. We can't be afraid to make mistakes. In hockey, those mistakes will come no matter what, so all you can really do is your best.
Honestly, I still can't believe I'm in Finland.
After our last game, I got to spend some time with my family and friends at the rink. It was crazy. I mean they're the faces I see every summer, but now I get to see them during the season. It was so weird. They all mean a lot to me. I didn't even know what to say. It was like, "Hey! Who are you? What are you doing here?" That was a really good way to end the trip. I was really excited to see them on our way over here.
Leaving here is a little bit sad, but I'm excited to go home.
