Kalervo Kummola, the long-standing president of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, expressed his frustration with the SM-liiga's decision to hold matches during the ongoing Winter Olympics, particularly as other prominent European leagues have temporarily paused their games. He noted that it was perplexing to see the SM-liiga scheduled on days when Finland's national team, Leijonat, was competing, thereby creating a clash in scheduling that could detract from viewership and support for both the league and the Olympic team.

Kummola emphasized the financial implications of maintaining a regular game schedule during such an important international event, highlighting that overlap leads to actual losses for SM-liiga stakeholders. He argued that alternative dates for games could have been identified to enable fans to support both the league and the national team simultaneously, which could enhance the atmosphere and investment in both fronts.

The situation raises important questions about scheduling strategies in sports leagues during international events and the potential repercussions on finances and fan engagement. Kummola's critique points to a lack of consideration for the broader fan experience, indicating that while there may be short-term strategies that appear beneficial, the long-term consequences on league reputation and financial health could outweigh immediate gains.