Olympics men’s hockey: Sweden stays perfect with 3-1 win over Finland
Sweden defeated rival Finland 3-1 in the final day of group play in the Olympics men’s hockey tournament.
Sweden secured the top seed in the quarterfinals of the Olympics men’s hockey tournament with a 3-1 victory over rival Finland.
As usual when these two teams get together, it was a back-and-forth affair with both squads struggling to gain traction.
Sweden opened the scoring 14:53 into the first with a big save that turned into a big goal. Viktor Fasth stopped Petri Kontiola with the right pad on a shot off the rush. The puck kicked right to the stick of Linus Omark, who found Anton Lander streaking in alone. Lander beat Mikko Koskinen with a shot through the wickets, putting Sweden up 1-0.
Finland responded 1:32 into the second period on a scramble that was eventually whacked in by Joonas Kemppainen. The puck bounced off multiple sticks in front and rolled off the arm and behind Fasth before Kemppainen tapped it home.
The deadlock remained until the third, when Patrik Zackrisson scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal. Johan Fransson blasted a shot from the point following a face-off victory. Koskinen made the save, but the rebound sat there for the taking. It was Zackrisson who dove forward and knocked the puck in.
Finland had a chance to tie it with the goalie pulled in the final minutes, but Eeli Tolvanen shot the puck high on what looked to be an empty net following a cross ice pass. Oscar Moller put home an empty net goal to seal the victory for Sweden.
Fasth made 18 saves, with the goal by Kemppainen being the only goal he allowed in group play.
Highlights
Linus Omark till Anton Lander och 1-0 till Sverige. pic.twitter.com/XB3zshOI3M
— Anton (@bolaniii9) February 18, 2018
KEMPPAINEN! Leijonat tasoihin! #PyeongChangFi #Olympialaiset pic.twitter.com/8Nx35zXfqz
— discovery+ sport 🇫🇮 (@dplussportfi) February 18, 2018
JAAAA! ZACKRISSON SÄTTER DIT 2-1!! pic.twitter.com/C01HFNYQ6J
— Eurosport Sverige (@EurosportSE) February 18, 2018
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What’s Next
With three victories in regulation, Sweden is the top seed in the elimination stage. Finland will meet South Korea in the qualifying round.
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