Finland - Sweden 4-3 OT

The contest began with Sweden taking an early lead. At 8:35 of the first period, Mika Zibanejad capitalized on a Finland defensive-zone turnover, unleashing a precise shot from between the circles to give Sweden a 1-0 advantage. Finland responded swiftly—at 10:58, Anton Lundell tied the game on a slick 2-on-1 break with assistance from Eetu Luostarinen. Lundell’s goal caught Sweden’s defense off guard, leveling the score at 1-1.

Finland then seized the momentum on the power play. At 19:46, Mikko Rantanen nearly missed a one-timer on a pass from Patrik Laine in the right circle. Yet, his shot fluttered perfectly between Sweden’s goalie and the right post to put Finland ahead 2-1.

Sweden wasn’t down for long. In the second period, Rasmus Dahlin restored parity at 5:06 by pouncing on a rebound. Lucas Raymond’s shot from the point had rebounded just right for Dahlin, allowing him to slide the puck home and tie the score at 2-2.

The momentum swung further in Sweden’s favor when Erik Karlsson, racing to catch a pass from William Nylander, finished off a 3-on-2 rush at 10:32 of the second period, giving Sweden a 3-2 lead with a powerful one-timer from the right circle.

Determined to answer back, Finland struck again in the third period. At 17:05, Aleksander Barkov scored on a net-front deflection. In a brilliant display of teamwork, Mikko Rantanen executed a spin-o-rama pass from the top of the left circle to Olli Maatta on the right side. Maatta’s pass, which ricocheted off Kaapo Kakko’s stick, found Barkov’s stick blade perfectly, forcing the game to a 3-3 tie.

With the tension mounting in overtime, Mikael Granlund emerged as the hero. Maintaining control on a crucial 3-on-1 break, Granlund fired a shot from the right circle just 1:49 into the extra period, sealing a memorable victory for Finland.

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