Comfortable win for Finland in WJC opener

Finland won the WJC opener against Latvia comfortable. Latvia only had 12 shots on goals on the entire game and were never close to make a threat to Finland even if Nikolajs Jelisejevs tied the game 1-1 halfway through the first period.

Artturi Lehkonen had given the Finns an early lead and Finland dominated the first period heavily both before and after the Latvian goal. Finland's best player of the game Miro Aaltonen made it both 2-1 and 3-1 before the end of the first 20 minutes. The first one a nice tip off on a shot from the blue line and the second one after a great power play pass by Joel Armia who had two assists today.

The second period saw nine minor penalties both also two goals. Finland defended well against Latvian power play before Markus Granlund made it 4-1 with a one-timer from close range on a power play and Rasmus Ristolainen made it 5-1 in the last minute of the period while playing four on four. Ristolainen who had a good game with one goal, one assist and a +3.

Finland created more chances in the third period but no more goals were scored. Miro Aaltonen who scored twice in the first period had to leave the game with an injury in the third period after a collision who probably gave him a twisted ankle.

This game showed what was expected that Latvia will have a hard time against the better teams but tomorrow they have an important key game against Switzerland while the next game for Finland is against the Czechs on Friday.

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