Finland shuts out Slovakia

Samuel Helenius scored twice and Kari Piiroinen earned a shutout when Finland beat Slovakia 6-0 in Edmonton today. Both teams had already secured a quarter final spot before the game but the game was still important to get a better position in the group and get an easier opponent in the next round.

The first period saw only one goal. Finnish captain Anton Lundell beat Samuel Hlavaj in Slovakia's net from close range at 9 minutes. Finland dominated but Slovakia fought well to keep the scoring down. The second Finnish goal had to wait until the 27th minute when Topi Niemelä scored during a delayed penalty. After the second goal it took only a little more than two minutes for Finland to score again. Kasper Simontaival made it 3-0 assisted by Lundell. Lundell who also assisted to Niemilä's goal was 1+2 today and named best Finnish player of the game.

In the third period Finland scored another three goals to win the game 6-0. Santeri Hatakka scored from a small angle before Samuel Helenius scored twice - his first goals of the tournament.

This was Slovakia's last game of the group stage. They will finish 3rd or 4th in the group depending on the result between Switzerland and Germany later today.

For Finland remains the big game against Canada that will decide who wins Group A.

08:57					1-0		Anton Lundell (Simontaival, Hirvonen)
26:09					2-0		Topi Niemelä (Lundell)
28:35					3-0		Kasper Simontaival (Lundell, Niemelä)
46:10					4-0		Santeri Hatakka (Hirvonen)
47:27					5-0		Samuel Helenius (Korhonen, Petman)
53:49					6-0		Samuel Helenius (Korhonen)

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