Sebastian Aho and the Finnish ice hockey team wrapped up their 2026 Winter Olympics journey in style, clinching a bronze medal with a commanding 6-1 victory over Slovakia. After a tough loss to powerhouse Canada in the semifinals, the Finns bounced back with determination, securing their spot on the podium.
Aho, the alternate captain for the Carolina Hurricanes, set the tone early by netting his fourth goal of the tournament in the first period. This goal not only tied him for second place among all goal-scorers in the men's event but also placed him in the company of Finnish legends. Only Macklin Celebrini from Canada has scored more with five goals, while Aho's performance matches the Olympic feats of Olli Jokinen and Teemu Selanne, both of whom scored six goals in the 2006 Games.
Throughout the tournament, Aho played a crucial role for Finland, averaging 16:11 on the ice over six games and winning 52.1% of his faceoffs. His leadership and skill were pivotal in Finland's success.
This bronze marks Finland's eighth medal in men's Olympic ice hockey history, with six of those coming in the last eight Olympics. It's their fifth time taking home the bronze, showcasing their consistency and prowess on the international stage.
The men's ice hockey tournament will reach its climax with the gold-medal game, featuring a showdown between Seth Jarvis of Canada and Jaccob Slavin of the USA. Fans can catch the action on Sunday morning at 8:10 a.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.