MONTREAL — In a thrilling overtime finish, Mikael Granlund showcased his skills during a 2-on-1 rush, deftly maneuvering the puck before sending it past goaltender Linus Ullmark, sealing a 4-3 victory for Finland against Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off. This impressive goal, scored just 1:49 into the 3-on-3 extra period, has revitalized Finland’s chances in the competitive NHL-organized international tournament.
“It’s a great feeling to come out on top, and it keeps us alive in this tournament,” Granlund stated following the victory. “Now, everything is under our control, which is beneficial for us.” A loss in regulation could have spelt elimination for the Finnish team, but they rallied back from an early setback to clinch a memorable win in a match filled with high tension, described by Mikko Rantanen as a must-win that “felt like a playoff game.”
Rantanen, who netted a power-play goal in the initial period, noted the game’s intensity. “We understood that we needed a win to remain in contention, and we accomplished that,” he remarked, highlighting the physical play typical of playoff matches, which the referees allowed to unfold.
Finland’s success included contributions from Anton Lundell, who also found the net, while goaltender Kevin Lankinen made an impressive 21 saves in his first outing at the 4 Nations event. His pivotal stop on Mika Zibanejad just seconds into overtime proved crucial. Coach Antti Pennanen opted to start Lankinen after Juuse Saros faced a tough game against the United States on Thursday.
“Such moments are what you dream about,” Lankinen expressed. “You prepare extensively for these opportunities, and when they arise, you must simply play. I felt my performance improve as the match progressed, and I was pleased to contribute to the victory against such talented opponents.”
On the other hand, the Swedish team, despite goals from Zibanejad and Rasmus Dahlin, finds itself in a precarious position, possibly needing external assistance to reach the finals. Goalie Filip Gustavsson was replaced after conceding two goals on just four shots in the opening period, with Linus Ullmark stepping in and yielding two goals from 17 shots. Coach Sam Hallam revealed that the change was necessitated by Gustavsson’s illness.
“Stepping in under those circumstances is no easy feat, yet I thought Ullmark performed admirably,” Zibanejad commented. “He gave us chances to fight for the win, but it wasn’t sufficient.”
Finland’s captain, Aleksander Barkov, endured a scare after blocking a shot late in the second period but managed to continue playing and emerged in good spirits after the match. “I’m just focusing on the moment and working on recovery, so thanks to the medical staff for having me back out there without issues,” Barkov shared. “It caught me off guard, and I attempted to kick it away, so I must remember I’m not practicing for a soccer game.”
As anticipation builds, the United States is set to face Canada in the evening, drawing significant attention in Montreal, but the earlier Finland-Sweden clash delivered an unforgettable performance. With echoes of their rivalry dating back to the 2006 Olympic gold-medal game, this time the Finns emerged victorious in an engaging match marked by speed, skill, and physicality, with players from both sides exchanging shoves and jostles typical of their intense rivalry.
“It’s always gratifying to defeat Sweden,” Granlund added. “Those clashes are a lot of fun to participate in, with immense interest in Finland and Sweden regarding these matchups. Being on the winning side is fantastic.”
Looking ahead, the tournament heads to Boston, where Finland will battle Canada on Monday at 1 p.m. EST, while Sweden is set to face the United States later that evening at 8 p.m.
