Rivals Sweden and Finland played Friday for a chance at gold in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament in Sochi.
Both teams looked solid throughout the Olympic tournament. Sweden went into the semifinals undefeated; Finland’s only loss was to Canada in the preliminary round. In a crushing blow to the hometeam, Finland put out Russia in the quarter-finals.
After a sleepy, methodical game, Sweden beat Finland 2-1 and will move on to the gold medal game.
They will play Canada on Sunday at 7am ET.
First period
Henrik Lundqvist started in net for Sweden.
Tuukka Rask did not start for the Finns, Kari Lehtonen getting the start.
Both teams were expected to come flying out of the gates, showcasing their speed. But both sides played a slow, cautious game in the first period.
Sweden took three penalties in the period, but the Finns were unable to capitalize.
Sweden outshot Finland 13-10 in a scoreless first period.
Second period
After sleeping through much of the game the crowd got back into it, after Finland’s Olli Jokinen threw the puck at Sweden’t net, sneaking one past Lundqvist.
After reviewing the play, officials said the goal was good – Finland leads Sweden 1-0.
Just over the halfway mark of the period Sweden’s Loui Eriksson tied up the game 1-1.
Erik Karlsson put the Swedes ahead 2-1 with the second period winding down.
Third period
After grabbing the lead in the second, Sweden didn’t give up too many opportunities in the third. The shots Finland did manage to get off were stopped by Lundqvist.
Finland pulled its goalie with less than a minute left in the game to get the extra attacker. But they were unable to get a shot on net.
Sweden is headed to the gold medal game, winning 2-1.
In other hockey news
The other semifinal game happening Friday was between North American rivals Canada and the U.S.
Both teams headed into the game undefeated, with few goals scored against them. Friday’s game was much of the same, both goalies making huge saves in a closely-matched game. Canada prevailed, winning 1-0 on a tip-in goal by Jamie Benn. They’re headed to the gold medal game.
Comments