Olli Jokinen, head coach of HIFK, openly discussed the external pressures faced by his team following their last regular season game in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat. He claimed that media articles have attempted to sway players against the coaching staff, stating that the harassment from outside sources has been significant. Jokinen's remarks come as HIFK, a team with a substantial budget, struggles at the bottom of the SM-liiga standings, drawing considerable criticism from fans and media alike.

In his comments, Jokinen acknowledged that some of the challenges the team faced were self-inflicted, but he defended his team's resilience against what he considered disproportionately harsh criticism. The pressure from the media has been tough, suggesting that the intense scrutiny may not only affect player morale but the overall dynamic within the team as well. Despite the criticism, he asserts that it has not led to a detrimental impact on the team’s performance or camaraderie.

Jokinen's reflections emphasize the often complicated relationship between sports teams and the media, particularly in high-stakes environments. As HIFK navigates through a difficult season, how the team addresses these external pressures and the media's role in shaping narratives around performance becomes crucial in their journey ahead.