LIVESTREAM FINLAND: Porvoo Butchers @ Seinäjoki Crocodiles, May 21, 15:30 CET (3:30 pm, 09:30 am ET)
The Porvoo Butchers hit the road Saturday, May 21 to take on the Seinäjoki Crocodiles in the opening week of the Finnish Maple League.
Both teams made the playoffs last season but exited earlier than they had hoped. Now they enter 2022 with two new head coaches looking to push the programs further,
The Butchers are led offensively by a familiar face to Maple League fans in dual-threat passer Brandon Gwinner. Gwinner played the last two seasons for the Wasa Royals before coming back for a third season, this time with the Butchers. Gwinner will look to get the ball to two American receivers Dana Plantt and Finnish all-star Mikko Seppanen. A large offensive line led by Väinö Pääkkönen (Towson University) should help the Butchers protect their experienced passer.
LIVESTREAM Finland: Porvoo Butchers @ Seinäjoki Crocodiles, May 21st, 15:30 CET (3:30 PM, 9:30 AM)
New head coach Richard Bachand hopes to get his team in the playoffs this year with an exciting offense and a solid defense. The defense returns defensive back Jere Paananen and lineman Jesse Vuoksenturja among others. Bachand also added American linebacker Dante Edwards (Benedictine).
Seinäjoki also has a familiar face on offense as running back Christian Powell returns. Powell has been one of the Maple league’s top running back since first arriving back 2018. Expect the new head coach Andy Bezaire to feed him the ball often. Quarterback Zachary Whitehead is also back under center after his season in Seinäjoki was cut short last year with an injury.
NFL International Combine Invite Fillip Zacok and veteran linebacker Jaska Värinen headline a defense led by strong core of Finnish players. Some new additions to the Crocs defense are defensive lineman Seth Zins (Bemidji State NCAA D2) and defensive back Amare Burks (Ottawa NAIA)
Fans are excited to see the new era of these coaches begin as they take the reins for two proud programs. Followers of the Maple league are eager to see if these teams have the talent to break through and show that they can be true title contenders.
