Expectations on Joni Ikonen were low for 2018-19. His previous season had been a disappointment, even if his underlying numbers were better than many thought. It was his offensive output that got him drafted in the second round, and that was limited, to say the least. Those expectations were even lower when adding in the eight months away from the ice due to a knee injury suffered in off-season training.
But the centre quickly answered the doubters — me included — when in his third game back he netted an amazing goal in Liiga.
Ikonen followed up that goal with two the next day, truly making it a weekend to remember for KalPa, and Montreal fans who needed to see progress.