In a classic display of his penalty-killing prowess, Suzuki was called into action early as Canada faced multiple short-handed situations in the first period, including a too-many-men penalty. However, when Bennett took an ill-advised penalty for crashing into Saros late in the period, Coach Cooper opted for Bo Horvat to take a crucial face-off in Canada's zone instead of Suzuki. Horvat lost the draw, leading to Mikko Rantanen's goal and putting Canada in a self-inflicted 1-0 deficit.
Interestingly, Finland's lineup featured a player strikingly similar to Suzuki-Artturi Lehkonen, a former Hab. Both players share a quiet intensity and relentless determination, always ready to make the play regardless of the odds or circumstances.
Just as Suzuki had been the hero for Canada in their quarterfinal match against Czechia, Lehkonen stepped up for Finland, scoring a breakaway goal 3:23 into overtime to secure a 3-2 comeback victory over Switzerland. This win set up an exciting semifinal showdown against Canada.
Lehkonen, much like Suzuki, is renowned for his ability to score crucial goals. He's a soft-spoken, humble player with a high hockey IQ, embodying the "200-foot player" concept-an all-around asset on the ice.
Despite his talents, Lehkonen, like Suzuki, often flies under the radar. Even Canadiens GM Kent Hughes might have underestimated him when he traded Lehkonen to Colorado for Justin Barron and a second-round pick in March 2022. Lehkonen quickly proved his worth, reaching the Stanley Cup final for the second consecutive year and contributing significantly to the Avalanche's championship run with eight goals and six assists in 20 postseason games.