SUNRISE, Fla. - In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, Florida Panthers' Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola helped Finland secure a 6-1 victory over Slovakia, clinching the bronze medal at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The action unfolded at Santagiulia Arena in Milan, Italy, where Panthers Assistant Coach Tuomo Ruutu also lent his expertise to Finland’s coaching staff.
Throughout the tournament, Lundell, Luostarinen, and Mikkola were pivotal for Finland, racking up a combined nine points over six games. Lundell’s standout moment came with a crucial assist on Arturri Lehkonen’s overtime goal against Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Mikkola’s defensive prowess shone through as he tied for Finland’s lead with a plus-nine rating.
These achievements add to the Panthers’ proud history of Olympic success, with Lundell, Luostarinen, and Mikkola becoming the latest players to earn medals while on Florida’s roster. They join the ranks of Finnish Olympic medalists like Esa Tikkanen, Olli Jokinen, and Aleksander Barkov, who have all made their mark while wearing the Panthers jersey.
Looking ahead, the excitement continues as the United States, featuring Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk and key staff members like President of Hockey Operations Bill Zito and Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards, gear up to face Canada in the gold medal showdown. This highly anticipated match will see Panthers players Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Sam Reinhart donning the Canadian colors.
Catch the action live tomorrow at 8:10 a.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
The Panthers are well-represented at the Olympics, with a league-leading 10 players and five staff members showcasing their talents on the international stage. Among them are:
Players:
- Uvis Balinskis (Latvia)
- Sandis Vilmanis (Latvia)
- Anton Lundell (Finland)
- Eetu Luostarinen (Finland)
- Niko Mikkola (Finland)
- Sam Reinhart (Canada)
- Brad Marchand (Canada)
- Sam Bennett (Canada)
- Gustav Forsling (Sweden)
- Matthew Tkachuk (USA)
Staff:
- Bill Zito (Assistant General Manager - USA)
- Teddy Richards (Equipment Manager - USA)
- Tuomo Ruutu (Assistant Coach - Finland)
- Myles Fee (Video Coach - Sweden)
- Jamie Kompon (Assistant Coach - Germany)
As the Olympic excitement winds down, the Panthers will soon return to NHL action, taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs this Thursday, Feb. 26, at Amerant Bank Arena. Fans can tune in at 7 p.m. ET on Scripps Sports and Panthers Plus to catch their favorite team back on the ice.