Though the Canada-United States recreation has overshadowed Saturday afternoon’s Sweden-Finland matchup, the heated rivalry lived as much as the hype. The back-and-forth recreation couldn’t be determined in regulation, establishing an additional time showdown. Finally, Finland, who would’ve been eradicated with a regulation loss, got here away with the win, on a well-placed shot by Mikael Granlund:
After a tricky third interval in opposition to the USA, Finland regrouped; Head coach Antti Pennanen went with Vancouver Canuck Kevin Lankinen in internet after Juuse Saros began the sport prior, a transfer that paid off as Lankinen stopped 21 of 24 pictures, together with two in additional time.
Captain Aleksander Barkov was wonderful as properly, scoring the game-tying objective in direction of the top of the second interval whereas additionally enjoying 19:50, second amongst forwards.
For Sweden, it is one other disappointing loss in worldwide play. Over the previous five World Championships, Sweden has only one medal (bronze, 2024). Now, the loss leaves them sitting in fourth place as they face the USA on Monday (8:00 p.m. EST, TNT) in a must-win recreation.
Sweden coach Sam Hallam can even have a choice to make concerning his goaltending, as Filip Gustavsson, who performed in opposition to Canada and began the sport in opposition to Finland, was pulled after one interval (two stops on 4 pictures). Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark changed him, stopping 15 of 17 pictures.
With the win, Finland confirmed that regardless of the odds, their team-oriented and defensive type of play can win them massive video games. They will head into their closing matchup versus Canada on Monday (1:00 p.m. EST, TNT), nonetheless alive with two factors.
Following the spherical robin, the 2 groups with the very best level totals will advance to the championship recreation on Thursday, Feb. 20 (8:00 p.m. EST, ESPN).
