Kevin Lankinen, the Vancouver Canucks goaltender, has achieved a significant milestone by securing his first Olympic medal. Finland triumphed over Slovakia with a commanding 6-1 victory in the bronze-medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This win comes as a sweet redemption for Finland, who had previously faced a 4-1 defeat to Slovakia in the preliminary rounds.
The game kicked off with Finland taking the lead as Sebastian Aho found the back of the net in the first period. Erik Haula extended the lead in the second period, bringing Finland to a comfortable 2-0 advantage, reminiscent of their earlier match against Canada.
Slovakia, however, wasn't ready to back down without a fight. Tomáš Tatar managed to score against Juuse Saros with just under 30 seconds left in the second period, sparking hopes of a comeback.
But Finland swiftly shut down those hopes as Roope Hintz and Kaapo Kakko scored in quick succession, widening the gap to 4-1. Finland sealed their victory with empty-net goals from Joel Armia and Haula, finalizing the score at 6-1.
Interestingly, Lankinen didn't see ice time during Finland’s Olympic campaign, though he was dressed for both the bronze-medal match and the initial clash against Slovakia.
The game had broader implications for the NHL as well. Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen was absent due to a lower-body injury sustained in the semi-final against Canada. Similarly, Martin Pospíšil from the Calgary Flames also missed the game.
As the dust settles on the bronze-medal showdown, the spotlight now turns to the gold-medal match between Canada and the USA, set for tomorrow morning.
The action took place in Milan, Italy, where Erik Haula celebrated alongside Joel Armia after scoring Finland's second goal, a moment captured at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
This thrilling chapter in Olympic hockey adds another layer to the rich tapestry of the sport, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next wave of international competition.