Finland nets Bronze with 5-3 win over Slovakians
Written by Heidi Pope Werner, Sunday February 28 2010
Having upset Sweden's chance to medal, Finland won over the tenacious Slovakian team, 5-3 to take the bronze medal in men’s hockey. Goaltender Mikka Kipprusoff saved 19 of 22 shots confidently. Valtteri Filppula scored an empty netter in the last few minutes of the game to seal the deal.
Finland’s Sami Salo opened up the scoring in the first period with a power play goal, but the Slovakians rallied hitting three goals guided by Marian Gaborik, Marian Hossa and Pavol Demitra to take the lead.
Finland pushed ahead scoring four goals in the third period to dominate the direction of the game. Niklas Hagman scored on a power play goal, and Olli Jokinen's shot shortly after evened the score 3-3. Jokinen followed his momentum nabbing a power play point scoring the game-winning goal.
Slovakia took eighteen penalty minutes, while Finland had fourteen.
Finland ranked fifth in men’s hockey entering the Olympics. Goaltender Mika Kipprusoff sparked some controversy when he voiced his displeasure of the possibility of not being the starter for the 2010 Olympics.
Slovakia’s Jaroslav Halak was the strongest candidate for net minder, despite Peter Budaj’s appearance in the 2006 games in Turin. Halak graced his Olympic debut stopping 28 of 32 persistent shots.
Finland’s victory over Sweden, the reigning Olympic champs, spotlighted the rivalry of the Scandinavian hockey hierarchy. The Finns pulled the 4-3 upset sending them to the bronze medal game.
Slovakia lost to Canada in the semi-final round, 3-2, gaining a chance at bronze.
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