Joel Armia may not be the flashiest name on Team Finland’s Olympic roster, but so far in Milan, he’s been one of the most effective. The LA Kings forward has been a quiet engine behind Finland’s preliminary round success, and if you’ve been watching closely, you know this isn’t some fluke performance-it’s been vintage Armia, just on the world’s biggest stage.
Through three games in group play, Armia did something no other player on Finland’s star-studded roster managed: he recorded at least one point in every game. That kind of consistency-especially in a tournament packed with NHL All-Stars and Stanley Cup winners-is no small feat.
He finished the prelims with four points (two goals, two assists), including a multi-point performance in Finland’s emphatic 11-0 win over host nation Italy. That showing helped push Finland into a strong position to earn a bye straight to the quarterfinals.
Let’s break down how he got there.
Making Plays in the Opener
Finland’s Olympic campaign didn’t start the way they’d hoped. A 4-1 loss to Slovakia left plenty of room for improvement, but the lone Finnish goal came courtesy of a smart, layered play from Armia-one that showed off his hockey IQ and ability to impact the game in multiple phases.
On the play, Armia took a pass on the rush and gained the offensive zone with control, threading a pass through traffic to a soft spot on the far side of the ice. As the power play wound down, he slipped into the bumper position, drawing in defenders and opening up space.
After a crisp exchange with Teuvo Teravainen and Artturi Lehkonen, Armia found himself surrounded by four Slovakian penalty killers. No problem.
He collected the puck on his forehand, shifted to the backhand, and slid a perfect feed to Eeli Tolvanen at the back post for the finish.
It was a moment that didn’t just put Finland on the board-it showed how Armia can dictate the flow of a play, even when he’s not the one taking the shot.
Shorthanded Spark vs. Sweden
Armia’s second game of the tournament came against Finland’s biggest international rival: Sweden. And in a game that carried the weight of playoff implications, he delivered in a way that’s become his calling card-on the penalty kill.
No one in the NHL has been more dangerous shorthanded this season than Armia, who leads the league in shorthanded goals and points. That translated seamlessly to the Olympic stage.
With Finland clinging to a 2-1 lead and trying to fend off a Swedish power play loaded with offensive firepower, Armia pounced. After Erik Haula battled along the boards to free the puck, Armia jumped on it, found space in front of the net, and went forehand to top shelf-crossbar and in-for a huge insurance goal. That made it 3-1, and Finland never looked back.
It was a classic Armia moment: opportunistic, clinical, and timely. The kind of play that doesn’t just change a game-it can change a tournament.
Closing Strong Against Italy
By the time Finland faced Italy, the stakes were clear: finish strong and put themselves in the best position to earn a bye to the quarterfinals. Mission accomplished-and once again, Armia was in the thick of it.
In an 11-0 rout, Armia saved his offensive punch for the third period, notching a goal and an assist on Finland’s final two tallies. First, he made it 10-0 with a clean finish, then set up Joel Kiviranta late in regulation to cap the scoring.
Even in a blowout, Armia’s attention to detail and drive didn’t waver. That kind of effort, especially in a game that was already well in hand, speaks volumes about his mindset and value to this team.
The Bigger Picture
When the dust settled on the preliminary round, Finland found itself in a three-way tie atop Group A with Slovakia and Sweden. Each team went 1-1 in their head-to-head matchups, but Finland edged out Sweden in the tiebreaker, and-barring something truly unexpected-they’re set to secure the final automatic berth into the quarterfinals.
That means a few days off before the knockout stage begins, and a chance to reset and refocus. But make no mistake: Joel Armia has been one of the key reasons Finland is in this position at all.
He’s not just along for the ride-he’s driving the bus.
Whether it’s on the power play, penalty kill, or five-on-five, Armia has shown he can impact the game in all situations. He’s done it with poise, versatility, and a knack for showing up in big moments. And if Finland is going to make a deep run in this tournament, don’t be surprised if he continues to be a central figure.
Next up: Finland will face the winner of the 5 vs. 12 matchup in the quarterfinals on February 18. With the way Armia’s playing, you can bet whoever that opponent is, they’ll have their hands full.