Though the Canada-United States sport has overshadowed Saturday afternoon’s Sweden-Finland matchup, the heated rivalry lived as much as the hype. The back-and-forth sport couldn’t be determined in regulation, organising 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 towards the US, 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 purpose in the direction of the tip of the second interval whereas additionally taking part in 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 US on Monday (8:00 p.m. EST, TNT) in a must-win sport.
Sweden coach Sam Hallam will even have a choice to make concerning his goaltending, as Filip Gustavsson, who performed towards Canada and began the sport towards 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 fashion of play can win them huge video games. They will head into their last 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 best level totals will advance to the championship sport on Thursday, Feb. 20 (8:00 p.m. EST, ESPN).
