When Boston Bruins’ defenseman Henri Jokiharju and goalie Joonas Korpisalo were selected for Finland's squad in the 2026 Winter Olympics, they likely didn’t anticipate the thrilling ride ahead. Finland emerged as the tournament’s dark horse, captivating fans with their unexpected performance.
Finland impressed during group play, securing the fourth seed and advancing to the quarterfinals. They bypassed Tuesday’s games and clinched a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against Switzerland, earning a spot in the semifinals and a guaranteed shot at a medal.
Facing off against Canada in the semifinals, Finland took an early 2-0 lead in the second period. However, Canada’s resilience shone through as they netted a goal to narrow the gap to 2-1, and later equalized midway through the third period.
A late power play for Canada turned the tide, resulting in a goal with just 35 seconds left, sealing Finland's fate in a hard-fought 3-2 loss. You can only imagine the uproar if the situation had been reversed.
Finland's Bronze Medal Triumph Over Slovakia
In the Bronze Medal Game on Saturday, Finland quickly established a 2-0 lead. Slovakia managed to score with 30 seconds remaining in the second period, reducing the deficit to 2-1. But Finland came alive in the third period, unleashing four goals, including two empty-netters, to secure a commanding 6-1 victory and the bronze medal.
Former Bruins forward Erik Haula, traded to the New Jersey Devils in 2022, played a pivotal role for Finland, scoring twice, including an empty-netter that sealed the win. Jokiharju and Korpisalo return to Boston with bronze medals, a testament to their resilience after a tough loss to Canada. Their comeback is a story of perseverance and grit, proving that this Finnish team was not to be underestimated.