As the 2026 Winter Olympics draw to a close, the men's ice hockey tournament is heating up with medal matches set for the weekend. Friday's semi-final action saw Finland face off against Canada in the morning, followed by the United States taking on Slovakia in the afternoon, both Pacific time.
The Anaheim Ducks have two players still in the Olympic mix: Finland’s Mikael Granlund and the US’s Jackson LaCombe. While LaCombe has yet to take the ice for the US in their first six games and isn't expected to suit up for the final, Granlund has been a key player for Finland.
In a strategic move for their crucial matchup against the gold medal favorites, Finland's coaching staff decided to shuffle their top two forward lines. Granlund, serving as Finland's captain, joined Roope Hintz and Tuevo Teravainen on a line that showed promise during their quarter-final against Switzerland.
The game against Canada was a tale of two halves. Early on, Canada held a slight edge in possession, but Finland capitalized on their chances.
Mikko Rantanen scored first, taking advantage of a faceoff win by Sebastian Aho to beat Jordan Binnington. Erik Haula then pounced on a loose puck in the neutral zone, breaking away to score with a slick backhand.
Despite Finland's early success with a 1-2-2 neutral zone forecheck that stifled Canada's rush, the momentum shifted. Canada adjusted, breaking through Finland's defensive setup, eventually tying the game with ten minutes left and clinching the win with a power-play goal in the final minute.
Granlund's game mirrored Finland's overall performance. He was relentless in his forechecking and backchecking, constantly pressuring the opposition.
While he managed some puck touches, he couldn't generate significant offensive threats alongside Teravainen and Hintz. Defensively, Granlund showcased his anticipation and stick skills, particularly in the lower slot.
Despite his efforts, Granlund didn't make it onto the scoresheet, finishing with zero shots, points, or penalty minutes in 17:44 of ice time.
Looking ahead, Granlund and Finland will compete for the bronze medal against Slovakia on Saturday at 11:30 AM PST. Meanwhile, the United States and Canada are set for a thrilling gold medal showdown on Sunday, marking the most anticipated international hockey game in years. Unfortunately for Jackson LaCombe, it seems his Olympic debut will conclude without any game action.