The daily Olympics top story on Hockey Hot Stove is powered by Watrhouse Brands, dedicated to quality, consumer education and awareness: Benevolent Bakery, SoSHEL beverages and Smokiez vegan fruit chews.
Entering Friday’s preliminary round game in Milan, Finland had lost 11 of 14 games against Sweden in the history of the Winter Olympics. Make it 11 of 15. Tre Kronor unsuccessfully chased the game after falling behind 2-0 in the first period. The Swedes never caught up.
Tre Kronor had the early pressure. However, at 7:44 of the first period, the Lions grabbed the game’s first goal. Nikolas Matinpalo skated to the top of the circle and fired a shot over Filip Gustavsson shoulder. Subsequently, at 15:26, Anton Lundell deflected a puck in front for a 2-0 lead. The goal was reviewed for a potential high-stick but the good goal ruling from the ice stood.
Sweden’s lone highlight came on the power play at 4:33 of the middle frame. Willam Nylander made a backhand saucer pass. Rasmus Dahlin ripped a shot past Juuse Saros to draw the Swedish side within a goal.
The key turning point
Tre Kronor had a chance to tie the game on their next power play. Instead, the 5-on-4 opportunity backfired. Erik Haula won a puck battle in deep and centered the puck in front. Joel Armia beat Gustavsson over the glove at 12:47 of the second period. Suddenly Finland led 3-1.
The Finns protected the lead through the remainder of the second stanza. A big scrum ensued at the buzzer.
As time wound down in the third period, Sweden pulled Gustavsson for a 6-on-5 attack. Finally, with 34.2 second left in regulation, Rantanten bagged an empty net goal to ice the win.
Sweden underachieving so far
Sweden won its opening game against an overmatched Team Italy, 5-2. The Swedes racked up more than 60 shots on goal in the process. Nevertheless, it was a largely unimpressive win. Italy scored first and later pushed back to tie the game at 2-2.
Coupled with Friday’s chippy loss to the archival Finns, its fair to say that Tre Kronor has yet to hit its stride through two preliminary round games. Thus far, Slovakia leads the bracket with a 2-0-0 record.
Japp, du har rätt..