Sweden Is Going For Gold will Face Canada

Photo: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

It was a tight, low scoring game but in the end, King Lundqvist reigned over his Finnish rivals. There were plenty of scoring chances in the first period, but both Kari Lehtonen (who was filling in for an under the weather Rask) and Henrik Lundqvist stoned their opponents.

Finland finally broke through in the second period when Olli Jokinen threw a sharp angle shot that leaked through Lundqvist. At first, NHL referee Tim Peel waved off the goal, presumably because he’d lost sight of the puck. Eventually, video review overturned Peel’s decision and it was called a good goal.

It didn’t take long for Sweden to respond. With just under 10 minutes to go in the period, they moved the puck around well and Loui Eriksson roofed the puck over a sprawling Lehtonen, who was attempting to get a pad on it. With just over 5 minutes to go, Olli Jokinen took a tripping penalty. Lehtonen did a really good job for the first minute and a half but the Finns left Erik Karlsson alone in the high slot and he was able to one time it home past a heavily screened Lehtonen.

There were plenty more chances in the game and Finland had several opportunities on the powerplay, but they were unable to get anything past Lundqvist. The Swedes did an excellent job of taking lanes away, clogging the neutral zone, keeping the puck along the boards and blocking shots.

They will be moving on to face Canada for gold while Finland is will be playing the United States for bronze.