Team Finland - Preview
Team Finland General Manager Jere Lehtinen's thoughts about putting together the roster, the role of the sixteen KHL players in the team, and the nation's hopes and expectations from the upcoming tournament.
The Olympic hockey tournament runs from the 14th to the 25th of February, and the Finns will face the Swedes, Norwegians and Germans in the group stage.
Mikko Koskinen
Goaltenders:
Mikko Koskinen, SKA; Karri Ramo, Jokerit; Juha Metsola, Amur.
“I won't say who will be our number one, as all our goalies have done well this year. They are all among the finest goalies in your league, Metsola has a great season with Amur, Ramo is an NHL-class player who has finally returned to full fitness, and Koskinen had been solid as a rock for us in two consecutive World Championships in addition to winning the Gagarin Cup. The top troika of Finnish goalies in all Europe.”
Sami Lepisto
Defensemen:
Mikko Lehtonen, Tappara Tampere (Finland); Tommi Kivisto, Jokerit; Lasse Kukkonen, Karpat Oulu (Finland); Sami Lepisto, Jokerit; Juuso Hietanen, Dynamo Moscow; Miro Heiskanen, HIFK Helsinki (Finland); Miika Koivisto, Karpat Oulu (Finland); Atte Ohtamaa, Ak Bars.
“We didn't take Juuso Hietanen on this year's Eurotour, but we know what he's capable of on the ice; he showed what he can do during the second half of the season, and that's why he earned his call-up. Sami Lepisto is one of the best defensemen in the KHL, and is a real leader in the team. Ohtamaa and Kivisto are similar in type, although Atte has a more offensive side to his game while Kivisto is a real warrior and a useful guy for killing penalties.”
Teemu Hartikainen, Joonas Kemppainen
Forwards:
Marko Anttila, Jokerit; Julius Junttila, Karpat Oulu (Finland); Eeli Tolvanen, Jokerit; Joonas Kemppainen, Salavat Yulaev; Jani Lajunen, HC Lugano (Switzerland); Jonas Enlund, Sibir; Petri Kontiola, Lokomotiv; Mika Pyorala, SC Bern, (Switzerland); Jarno Koskiranta, SKA; Oskar Osala, Metallurg Magnitogorsk; Sakari Manninen, Orebro HK, (Sweden); Teemu Hartikainen, Salavat Yulaev; Jukka Peltola, Tappara Tampere (Finland); Veli-Matti Savinainen, Ugra.
“Anttila is a very big guy who has been excellent all season. He's skating better and has become a vital player for Jokerit, who are getting better and better. We know all about Tolvanen, and while recently he hasn't been as prolific as he was earlier in the season, he is still young, and he is learning every day. He certainly knows how to score, and while last month wasn’t a good one, he is still carving out chances. I would worry if the chances dried up, but they haven't.
Hartikainen and Kemppainen have performed very well for Salavat Yulaev. Kemppainen is an accomplished center who loves to score. Hartikainen is a natural with the puck, dangerous in the corners, and difficult to stop. We are lucky to have this pair. Enlund surprised us greatly. We watched him a lot this season. He was on his way back from injury, but now he is fully recovered and is one of the best players in the KHL, especially at uneven strength.
Koskiranta didn’t get much ice time this year, but he’s a big powerful guy, good in the face-off, and with experience of winning trophies. The same goes for Oskar Osala, another forward who didn't really fulfil his potential this season. Kontiola has also battled with injuries, but he is fit again and ready to help the team pick up points. Veli-Matti Savinainen has racked up a lot of minutes playing against top stars in the KHL, and he’s the kind of player you always want in your team.”
“There are bound to be surprises.” At Sochi 2014, the Finns won the bronze for the fourth time in the past six Olympics. The Finns won the silver - thiir best result - at Torino in 2006 and at Calgary in 1988.
“When we go to any tournament, we want to win it. But we should take each game as it comes. This Olympics will be a very close and tough tournament, and there are bound to be surprises. The Russians are the favorites, but all the competing teams have a chance”
Feb 15 - Game 1 - Germany Won 5-2
Eeli Tolvanen wasted no time in introducing himself to the Olympics – the Finnish super-prospect had four points as Finland opened with a 5-2 win over Germany.
It’s not the first grand opening for Tolvanen this season, of course. The 18-year-old smashed in a hat-trick on his KHL debut for Jokerit, becoming the youngster player to hit a treble in the league. And today he shot himself to the top of the Olympic scoring charts with a goal and three assists as Suomi started out strongly in Korea. He claimed the Finnish game-winner late in the second period with a characteristic wrist shot, lasered past Danny aus den Birken in the German net off a Teemu Hartikainen feed.
The teenager’s blistering start to the season had slowed a little following his trip to the World Juniors with Finland at New Year, but he shrugged off any suggestions that he was under special pressure to perform at the Olympics. “I don’t care about that,” he said. “We have a really good team with a lot of leaders, so I can just go out and enjoy it. That’s why I don’t feel any pressure.”
Among those leaders is captain Lasse Kukkonen, a vastly experienced D-man who spent three seasons in the KHL with Avangard and Metallurg, and the two seem to share a mutual appreciation.
“I think Kukkonen’s a legend,” said Tolvanen. “He’s our great captain. He’s been to all of these tournaments, he’s seen a lot and he’s a big help for me and all the young guys.” Kukkonen was similarly impressed with Finland’s newest star: “The young kid was awesome. He was leading the way. It’s exciting to see young players coming up and taking the next step.”
Finland’s KHL contingent also contributed to the victory. Petri Kontiola (Lokomotiv) got his first ever Olympic goal in his fourth Winter Games and Sami Lepisto (Jokerit) opened the scoring with a fourth-minute power play goal. Joonas Kemppainen got Finland’s fifth goal, goalie Mikko Koskinen claimed the Win.
Eeli Tolvanen
Five-star Canada shrugs off NHL absence, Lee, Wolski impress
With no NHL stars on its roster, Canada’s chances of a ‘three-peat’ Olympic gold might have taken a dive. But two goals from Wojtek Wolski and a pair of assists for his Metallurg team-mate Chris Lee helped the defending champion to a 5-1 victory over Switzerland. Lee set up the two first-period tallies for the Canadians, feeding Rene Borque and Maxim Noreau to make it 2-0 inside eight minutes. Borque got his second of the night, and Wolski scored a fine breakaway goal before wrapping up the scoring with an empty-netter. For Wolski, whose career was in jeopardy after a freak accident playing for Metallurg against Barys back in 2016 left him with a broken neck, it was an emotional moment.
“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “I'm so grateful for how it worked out, for being here. I'm so happy I can experience this but it wasn't easy. There were times when I didn't think I'd be able to walk again, be able to play hockey, to lead a normal life. It's pretty special to be here.
“We're happy with how we played, we're happy we won but we have to forget about it. We'll celebrate a little bit after the game, cherish the moment, but tomorrow we'll look at the video, see where the mistakes were and see where we can build.”
Lee, meanwhile, was enjoying the ambience of the new-look Team Canada – no stars, but a powerful team spirit.
“We have a lot of emotion in the room, and we're playing for each other and for the emblem,” he said. “It doesn't matter who scores the goals. We're all going to chip in with a blocked shot or a goal or a hit. It's fun to see that emotion.”
Wins for Swedes and Czechs
Sweden, the current World Champion, made a winning start in PyeongChang, with Linus Omark, Anton Lander and Dennis Everberg all contributing to a 4-0 cruise past Norway. 
Norway - Sweden. Anton Lander, Linus Omark, Dennis Everberg
Omark had three assists, Lander got his team’s second goal and Everberg potted the third before assisting on the fourth 22 seconds later. The Norwegians, with SKA’s Patrick Thoresen in action, struggled to get their game started, although they might have clawed a goal back early in the third only for Ken Andre Olimb to see his effort ruled out by the video review as former CSKA man Viktor Fasth blanked the Norwegians with 17 saves.
Patrick Thoresen
There was also a winning start for the Czechs, but the 2-1 margin over Korea was tighter than most had expected. The host nation even took the lead in the eighth minute through Minho Cho, but the KHL connection put the Czechs in front before the first intermission. Jan Kovar and Michal Repik got the goals; Traktor goalie Pavel Francouz picked up an assist along the way.
Feb 16 - Game 2 - Norway Won 5-1
When Eeli Tolvanen gets the puck at the Hartwall Arena, a buzz goes around the Jokerit crowd. It might not be long before the same is true in Korea, where the 18-year-old continues to impress. He added two goals to his tally today in a 5-1 victory over Norway. The Norwegians had taken a surprise lead in this game when Patrick Thoresen beat his SKA team-mate Mikko Koskinen on an early power play. But Tolvanen showed off his devastating shooting and his slick stick-handling as he scored twice to turn the game around either side of the first intermission. Ugra’s Veli-Matti Savinainen added a third after former Dinamo Minsk goalie Lars Haugen misjudged a clearance from behind his net. Sami Lepisto got his second of the Games to make it four. Jokerit’s Lepisto also talked up the Finnish power play after he got a goal and an assist while the Leijonat had a man advantage. "Our third and fourth lines are really good at battling in the corners," he said. "They take that first hit and keep their feet moving and I think that's a big key because the opposition defence can't really keep up for long shifts and they have to take penalties.
"We get our power play that way, and our power play is really clicking right now."
Enroth claims shut-out for Sweden
Dinamo Minsk goalie Jhonas Enroth made 28 saves to frustrate Germany as Sweden edged a 1-0 verdict in the other game in Group C. Viktor Stalberg got the only goal after two minutes, assisted by Sibir duo Alexander Bergstrom and Patrik Zackrisson, but dogged German resistance kept the game live until the very end.
Feb 18 - Game 3 - Sweden Lost 1-2
Patrick Zackrisson scored the goal that took Sweden direct to the quarter-finals – and pushed Finland into the qualification round. The Sibir forward snapped a 1-1 tie midway through the third period in the battle of the Nordic neighbours, and rated it one of the biggest goals of his career.
“That goal ranks pretty high for me,” he said. “It's pretty cool to score in the Olympics, now I've done that and it feels pretty good. And it's put the team into the quarter finals, which is also great. We wanted to win the group and we've done that. That's what it's been all about and we can focus for the quarter-final.”
Sweden eventually won out 3-1, with former Ak Bars man Oscar Moller adding an empty-netter. Joonas Kemppainen got the Finnish goal. For Finland, Sami Lepisto was left to put a positive spin on the day. “It's like pre-season's over,” he said. “I’m not sure who we're gonna play but now it's game time. We're ready, we fell pretty confident, our goalie's been unbelievable. We just need to clear the puck from in front of our net a bit better.”
Team Czech Republic - Team Switzerland
In the other Group A game, Canada defeated Korea 4-0 to finish in second place. It’s seven-point haul was good enough to go to the QF as best runner-up, one better off than Finland. The goals came from Christian Thomas, Sochi’s Eric O’Dell, Maxim Lapierre and Kunlun’s Gilbert Brule – all four of them opening their Olympic accounts – and former Barys goalie Kevin Poulin made 19 saves for his shut-out.
What’s next?
Canada cannot meet the Olympic Athletes from Russia until the medal games: Willie Desjardins’ team will face Finland or Korea in its quarter-final. Switzerland faces Germany in the other qualification game, with Sweden awaiting the winner.
Qualification Round Playoff - South Korea - Won 4-2
Eeli Tolvanen was Finland’s star once again as the Leijonat downed Korea 4-2, but Slovenia’s Ziga Jeglic was in trouble after a failed drugs test. His country’s day didn’t improve – an overtime loss against Norway ended its Olympic campaign and sent the Norwegians into a QF against Russia.
Kontiola, Tolvanen lead the way again
Jokerit’s Eeli Tolvanen was picked as one of the players poised to light up this year’s Olympics – and he hasn’t disappointed. Today saw the 18-year-old delivered another game-winning performance as Finland got past Korea with a 5-2 scoreline. Tolvanen had three assists, with Petri Kontiola scoring twice and Juuso Hietanen also on the scoresheet. But Korea put up a huge fight, battling back from 0-3 to 2-3 in the second period and earning huge respect for some of the best hockey the country has ever played. Lokomotiv forward Kontiola was impressed with the Korean fightback. “They played great tonight, I really respect that team,” he said. “I guess at 3-0 we thought it was going to be easy, but it wasn’t.”
Finland progresses to play Canada in the most intriguing match-up of the last eight. And Kontiola warned that there can be no repeat of the lapses that allowed Korea back into this game. “We got to do it better. This is not enough. We wanted to win, we got the win, that's all that matters."
Norway edges Slovenia, faces Russia
The build-up to this game was dominated by news that Ziga Jeglic had tested positive for fenoterol, a banned substance and, according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, was to be sent home from the Games immediately. The KHL confirmed that Jeglic, who began the season with Torpedo before transferring to Neftekhimik, had not faced a drug test so far this season in the league, and adding that the league’s anti-doping procedures were carried out in partnership with the IIHF and WADA, with the involvement of Sport Accord, the anti-doping convention. The forward has been away on international duty for almost a month. On the ice, Slovenia took the lead against Norway, but ended up tied 1-1 at 60 minutes. Alexander Bonsaksen got the overtime winner, meaning the Norwegians – Patrick Thoresen among them – will face Russia in Wednesday’s quarter-final showdown.
Thoresen, well-known to Russian fans, admits that his team is a big outsider in the last eight. “Russia is an unbelievable team and they have to be favorites,” he said. “Hockey is not that big in Norway. We won’t be the big story. Back home, they love their cross country skiing!”
Americans cruise into QF Team USA had a rematch with Group B rival Slovakia – and found things much easier second time around. After edging a 2-1 verdict in the group phase, the Americans powered to a 5-1 victory and moved to a quarter-final meeting with the Czech Republic. Slovakia’s progress was hampered by Michal Cajkovsky’s ejection from the game for an elbow to Ryan Donato’s head; Donato shrugged off the hit to score twice, while Troy Terry’s three assists orchestrated the USA offense. Ryan Zapolski, goalie for Jokerit and the Americans, is quietly confident that there’s more to come from this US roster. "We have to win now to keep moving on, so I think that's something that shows how strong this team is and how resilient we are,” he said. "We had our best game today, and I think our best period of the tournament was the third period tonight so it was really important for us to have that type of game."
Germany edges Switzerland in OT The final qualification round action saw a cagey clash between Germany and Switzerland, with Yannic Seidenberg’s goal 26 seconds into overtime giving the Germans, with former Admiral forward Felix Schutz on the roster, the edge after a 1-1 tie in regulation. For Germany, it’s a first QF engagement since 2002 – Marco Sturm’s team will face Sweden for a place in the medal games
Quarter Finals - Canada Lost 0-1
In the Olympic men’s tournament, Russia marches on – a 6-1 win over Norway cements the team’s status as pre-tournament favorite. In the women’s event, though, there was disappointment as the Russians missed out in the bronze medal game, going down 2-3 against Finland. It was also the end of Sweden’s Olympic journey. The Tre Kronor, Linus Omark, Patrik Hersley and all, fell to Germany in one of the greatest shocks of modern Olympic history. The Germans go on to face Canada in the semis, Russia plays the Czechs.
Canada beats Finland
The other semi-final pits Canada against Germany after a sensational defeat for Sweden in overtime and a hard-fought 1-0 for Canada over the Finns. Max Noreau got Canada’s winner, firing home Eric O’Dell’s feed early in the third period. Starting goalie Ben Scrivens suffered an injury after colliding with Veli-Matti Savinainen, but in partnership with Kevin Poulin the Canadians stopped 21 Finnish shots.
Sochi forward O’Dell paid tribute to Canada’s work ethic in grinding out another win as it looks to secure a third successive gold medal.
“When you see guys going down, getting crazy blocks on shots, it gets the whole bench up,” he said. “That's just the Canada way, that's how we play. We're a hard-nosed team and when it comes down to it we're going to do anything we can to get the win and it paid off tonight.”
Koukal’s strike sends USA home Petr Koukal fired the Czech Republic into its first Olympic semi-final since 2006. The Avtomobilist man potted the shoot-out winner against the USA after a 2-2 tie in the teams’ quarter-final match-up in Gangneung. The Avotmobilist man had also scored in a group stage shoot-out against Canada, and told reporters that the team had quickly shuffled its running order to psych out USA goalie Ryan Zapolski. “I was talking to the guys on the bench,” Koukal said “The goalie saw (us) play Canada in a shootout in the group and I was asking the guys about my shootout, and all the guys did a little switch (in order) beforehand and I shot, and I’m so happy it was the goal.”
Traktor’s Pavel Francouz stopped all five American attempts in the shoot-out and he reckoned that Harvard College forward Ryan Donato was the toughest to face. “He was all over me already, but he kind of lost the puck in the end, so I was lucky there too,” said the Czech goalie.
Donato had given the USA an early lead, but goals from Jan Kolar (Amur) and Tomas Kundratek (Torpedo) put the Czechs up 2-1 before a short-handed strike from Jim Slater tied it up. Jokerit’s Brian O’Neill almost won it late on when he dinged Francouz’s crossbar, but the Czechs survived to take it to a shoot-out.
Zapolski summed up the USA’s tournament. “We competed as hard as we could,” he said. “We battled to the end. Our legs weren't really there to start the game but we gave it everything we had. We tied it up and it was a close game, and it could have gone either way at the end. I'm pretty proud of the effort we put in.”
Germany stuns Sweden
Sweden was the hot favorite to go on to the last four, but Germany sprang a huge surprise. Two quick goals in the first period saw the Germans ahead through Christian Ehrhoff and Marcel Noebels. Sweden hauled it back to 3-3 in the third, with Anton Lander and Patrik Hersley among the scorers, but Patrick Reimer delivered a stunning overtime winner to send the Germans through.
Even then, Reimer's night was not over – the goal was reviewed, just to keep the nerves jangling. “I knew right away they couldn't call that off,” he said. “I was pretty confident but it was an intense 30 seconds or minute waiting for the official call.”
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