Finland secured a 4–1 win over Sweden in the men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament on Friday. The result delivered Finland’s first victory of the group stage after a 4–1 loss to Slovakia in the opening match.
The game began at 13.10 local time and drew attention across Finland, with the long-standing rivalry adding weight to the group fixture.
Goaltender Juuse Saros played a central role in the outcome.
He stopped 34 shots and conceded once. Sweden pressed in the third period and outshot Finland 15–5 in the final frame, yet failed to break through.
In the closing minutes Sweden removed goaltender Filip Gustavsson and skated with six attackers. Finland held the line.
With 35 seconds left, Mikko Rantanen scored into the empty net to confirm the 4–1 result.
Finland took three points from the match.
Finland took several penalties during the match. Sweden gained repeated power play opportunities but scored once.
Head coach Antti Pennanen addressed the performance in an interview with Yle.
“Many things made this possible. Juuse was good in goal. Good penalty killing. At the end we handled the 5–6 situation well,” Pennanen said.
He expressed concern about the number of penalties.
“I am not happy with how many penalties we took. Apart from one goal, the penalty killing delivered,” he said.
Defenceman Niko Mikkola blocked a shot and left the ice to receive treatment on his leg.
In the stands, former Formula One driver Kimi Räikkönen watched the match with family members.
Elsewhere in the group, Slovakia beat Italy 3–2. Slovakia now lead the group ahead of the final round of matches, where Finland will face Italy and Sweden will meet Slovakia.
HT