LIVESTREAM FINLAND: Seinäjoki Crocodiles @ Kuopio Steelers June 5th, 15:30 CET (3:30pm, 9:30 ET)
Finland’s back-to-back defending Maple League champion Kuopio Steelers host the Seinäjoki Crocodiles Sunday, June 5 in an early season matchup of undefeated teams.
Both the Crocodiles and Steelers are eager to show off their skills in front of the rest of the league in the only Maple League matchup this weekend.
Seinäjoki Crocodiles @ Kuopio Steelers June 5th, 15:30 CET (3:30pm, 9:30 ET)
Seinäjoki won their only game of the season on a last-second 37-yard field goal from kicker Eetu Macki-Manus. Led by quarterback Zachary Whitehead and veteran running back Christian Powell, the Crocodiles offense looked rusty in week one scoring only 15 points. Powell was up to his old tricks, rushing for 94 yards, however Whitehead completed only a third of his passes getting the ball to Finnish talents Joel and Janne Sarkela.
Defensively, former Last Chance U star Emmit Gooden makes his debut today. The former Juco All-American defensive tackle has the potential to be force in the Maple League after finding success at the University of Tennessee. Gooden joins a talented Seinäjoki that features veteran Filip Zacok, and Seidu Jallow.
On the home sideline the undefeated Steelers are on a mission for a three peat. Kuopio’s physical defense dismantled a talented Wolverines squad last week, holding them to 26 yards, zero points and a safety. Defensive lineman Janni Lindqvist and Ikeem Allen both notched two sacks last week, helping Irro Pekkarinen and the Steelers secondary look good. This week, they’ll shift their defense and focus on taking away a familiar opponent in Christian Powell.
Offensively, quarterback Joey Bradley and running back Le’anthony Reasnover look as good as they did in 2021, creating big plays for this Steelers offense. Running backs Tuuka Lehtonen and Ville Lindsten also give Bradley options in the backfield. Receivers Hannes Harju and Isaac Marshall can move the chains for a Steelers offense that has looked crisp this season.
The Crocodiles hope to prove their worth this week and test themselves against Finland’s top team. For the Steelers they’ll look to play in front of their home fans for the first time all year and put on a show in one of the Maple League’s best atmospheres.
