In a thrilling Olympic semifinal clash, Finland came tantalizingly close to toppling the powerhouse Canadian team, with two Nashville Predators shining brightly in the effort.
The Finns surged to a 2-0 lead in the second period, thanks in part to Predators center Erik Haula, who netted a shorthanded goal-his first of the tournament. Meanwhile, Juuse Saros stood tall between the pipes, making a whopping 36 saves on 39 shots, marking his busiest game yet in these Olympics.
However, Canada, known for its resilience, mounted a comeback with three unanswered goals, clinching the win with a decisive strike just 36 seconds before the final buzzer, sealing a 3-2 victory.
The drama unfolded three minutes into the second period when Finland was already ahead 1-0. Sebastian Aho was penalized for interference, but Joel Armia managed to clear the puck to center ice.
Haula seized the moment, racing forward to capitalize on a breakaway. With a slick move, he deked Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington and slipped the puck in with a backhand, glove-side shot, doubling Finland's lead.
Haula now boasts four points (1G, 3A) across four games.
Yet, the game of hockey is a balance of highs and lows. Midway through the third period, with chaos in front of Finland's net, Haula inadvertently knocked Canadian forward Brad Marchand into Saros, disrupting the goalie’s position.
This allowed Shea Theodore to score the equalizer. The officials ruled no goaltender interference, as Haula's actions led to the collision.
Despite the heart-wrenching loss, Saros was the backbone of Finland's efforts, facing nearly 40 shots and posting an impressive .923 save percentage. Over four games, he’s maintained a .933 save percentage, with a 1.80 goals against average, three wins, and a shutout, consistently starting every game for Finland in these Olympics.
Finland’s journey isn’t over yet. They’re set to compete for the Bronze Medal against the loser of the United States-Slovakia matchup, with the game scheduled for Saturday at 1:40 p.m.
CST. The Finns are aiming to secure their fifth medal in the last six Olympic appearances, a testament to their enduring prowess on the ice.