Finland Outmuscles Sweden in Gritty Group B Clash at Milano Cortina 2026
Milan, ITALY - When the Olympic hockey groups were announced, Group B instantly raised eyebrows. Sweden and Finland in the same group?
That’s a recipe for fireworks. And sure enough, when these two Nordic rivals hit the ice, we got a game full of physicality, drama, and momentum swings - even if the final score suggests a more one-sided affair than it really was.
Until it wasn’t.
A Fast Start, But Not for the Team You’d Expect
Sweden came out controlling the puck, dictating pace and zone time early. But it was Finland who struck first, flipping the script with a goal from defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo, his first of the tournament. Kaapo Kakko picked up the assist, and just like that, the Finns had the upper hand despite being on their heels.
Then came a moment of skill and timing from Anton Lundell, who batted a puck out of mid-air at 15:26 of the first period. The officials took a look to see if the stick was too high, but the goal stood. Finland had a 2-0 lead, and after dropping their opener to Slovakia, this was exactly the kind of start they needed.
Mikko Rantanen spoke postgame about the urgency the team felt:
“It’s really important now… games are kinda crisscrossing and now we have a chance to get a good six points in the group if we can play well tomorrow and beat Italy.”
Sweden Strikes Back - Briefly
Sweden finally broke through in the second period with a highlight-reel setup from William Nylander, who floated a backhand saucer pass across the slot. Rasmus Dahlin was waiting, stick cocked, and ripped a one-timer through traffic.
Juuse Saros never saw it. Just like that, it was 2-1, and Sweden had life.
But that momentum didn’t last long.
On a Swedish power play that looked poised to tie the game, Joel Armia turned the tide with a gritty shorthanded effort. He worked the puck loose, created a breakaway, and buried it. That made it 3-1 Finland - a backbreaker for Sweden, who had just started to claw their way back.
Saros Slams the Door
Sweden had more chances in the third, including additional power-play time, but Juuse Saros was locked in. The Finnish netminder stood tall, turning away multiple high-danger looks and frustrating a Swedish squad that couldn’t find a second gear.
Meanwhile, Mikko Rantanen found himself at the center of attention again - this time for taking a trio of big hits on a single shift. One of them sparked some chatter about possible embellishment, but Rantanen brushed it off with a smile and a bit of humor:
“I don’t remember, I’m a big guy, sometimes I have bad balance and keep falling around… Let’s put on bad balance, not on the diving.”
And then, fittingly, he capped the night by sealing the win with an empty-net goal.
“We kinda knew that, and we played like it,” Rantanen said, speaking to the stakes of the game. “We played with desperation. Played like it was a Game 7 kinda with the intensity and how much we wanted to win.”
Rivalry Runs Deep
If you’re wondering why Sweden vs. Finland always feels like more than just a hockey game, Gabe Landeskog put it simply:
“Obviously, there’s history there, no doubt about it. We’re neighbors after all.”
Landeskog, ever the steady voice, didn’t dwell on the loss:
“For tonight, we didn’t come away with the win, and that’s that.”
By the Numbers
- Mikko Rantanen, who saw limited ice time in Finland’s first Olympic game, was back in a more prominent role, logging 17:31 tonight - a clear adjustment that paid off.
- Slovakia now sits atop Group B with 6 points, putting pressure on the rest of the group as the elimination round looms.
- Finland’s offense was balanced and deep - 12 different players registered points in this win.
Avalanche Angle
For fans watching through an NHL lens, there were some familiar themes. Sweden’s power play setup looked eerily similar to what the Colorado Avalanche have been trying to execute - a perimeter-heavy approach that didn’t yield results when it mattered most.
And speaking of Avalanche players, Gabe Landeskog finished the night -2 and off the scoresheet. Plus-minus isn’t gospel, but it’s not ideal seeing your top guys on the wrong end of goals against in a game this important. He’ll need to bounce back in a big way when Sweden faces a must-win against Slovakia on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Joel Kiviranta has now gone two games without a single shift for Finland. With a matchup against Italy on deck, we’ll see if he finally gets a chance to suit up.
Finland’s win over Sweden wasn’t just about points in the standings - it was a statement. After a shaky start to the tournament, they looked like a team that remembered who they are. And in a group this competitive, rediscovering your identity might be the biggest win of all.