Features

Last two games of the Olympics and first up was the Bronze medal game between Russia and Czech Republic. 

The Russians seemed like they were not interested in this game and going through the motions and a goal in each period for the Czechs through Erat on 4:48 Zidlicky on 26:36 and Straka on 59:52 gave the pre tournament joint favourites an easy win and the bronze medal. Russia were a real disappointment and unable to lift themselves after their semi final thrashing by the Finns.

 

So to the Nordic final.

 

The bookmakers could not separate these two teams and the crowd and millions watching were due for a treat. Sweden last won gold in 1994 and the Finns, unbelievably have never won gold.  This is the first time that Sweden and Finland have met in the gold medal match. Its set up for a cracker.

 

Nittymaki in goal for Finland and Lundqvist between the pipes for Sweden. First shot of the game goes to Daniel Sedin who strikes from the slot and a good save from Nittymaki. 3 mins gone and the first penalty as Havelid knocks over Ruutu for 2 mins in the box. Nothing mutch from Finland and the power play runs down. 10 mins gone and it’s a tight game with the Swedes having most of the possession. Sweden get their first powerplay as Laaksonen goes for cross checking. Again, not many chances and it runs down. Another powerplay and and this time it counts. With Jonnssen in the box Selane kept hold of a rolling puck on the boards, passed across ice to Timonen on left point who belted a shot through traffic that was tipped past Lundqvist by Saku Koivu.1-0 to Finland at 14:45. Sweden are picking up too many penalties and Modin is now in the box for hooking but this one comes to nothing. One more chance in the period and that fell to Sundin who skated around the net and tried the wrap around but Nittymaki was alert and made the save. End of the period and 1-0 to Finland. At the break the goal was given to Timonen.

 

Into the 23^rd minute of the game and the Swedes tie up the game. Firstly on a delayed penalty Sundin fed the puck to Tjarnqvist who shot and the diving Nittymaki got to it with his leg pads. Lydman to the box for hooking. 51 seconds into the powerplay, Zetterberg took the puck behind the net and out to the edge of the crease and put one into traffic. The puck hit first one then a second defenceman before it scraped into the goal off the goalie’s pads. Stuffy goal but they all count in a final. 24:52 and its 1-1. It looks like discipline is going to decide this game as the second period is littered with minor penalties. On 33 mins Saku Koivu is sent to the box for hooking and once again Sweden take full advantage. Kronvall, who had only arrived in Turin for the semi finals too the puck on the point, brushed past a Finnish d man and shot on goal. A brilliant screen by Holmstrom meant that the puck was past Nittymaki before he could react. 33:24 and Sweden have the lead. 36 seconds later we have a tied game again. Jokinen took the puck behind the Swedish net and fed to Ville Peltonen in front of goal. The old timer, possibly playing in his last Olympiks chopped a backhand shot past a helpless Lundqvist. Super goal and at 35:00 its 2-2. Great even game now with both sets of forwards crashing the net. Two more penalties, one on each side, end the period and its 2-2 and game on.

 

Sweden make a blitzstart to the final period and are 3-2 up with only 9 seconds on the clock. Sundin wins a loose puck and pushed it down the boards to Forsberg. Back to Sundin who leaves the biscuit for a trailing Lidstrom who blasted it past Nittymaki.  What a superb goal. The Finns are devastated but its 3-2 to Sweden. End to end action and another powerplay for Finland which comes to nothing this time. 10 mins to go and it is still anybodies game. Pahlsson tries a solo effort that just trickles wide. Then a half chance with a cross ice shot that gets behind Nittymaki but just misses the goal. Another penalty to Finland on 51 mins as Kronvall absolutely mullers Laaksonen. Again Finland fail to break the yellow line. 54 mins and Lundqvist makes a big save from Hagman. Finland survive a powerplayon 55 mins as Lydman goes for high stick but the clock is now against them.  2 mins left and time out Finland. The big Finnish line is on and Nittymaki stays on the bench. Finland lose possession and it’s a face off in the Finnish zone. Nittymaki has to come backon. Last minute and the goalie races for the bench. Puck is in front of the Swedish net and Lundqvist makes the save of the tournament, spreadeagled and makes the save with the inside of his blocker and the puck just misses the post. That was the last chance and Sweden have won the gold.

 

An abslolutely brilliant final with the Swedes just deserving the gold. Finland are gutted as they fall short once again.

 

Ok that’s it from me, a superb tournament with one or two surprises. For me, biggest shocks were the no show from Canada and USA. Russia looked great until the last 2 games. The Finns played brilliant hockey throughout and were unlucky not to triumph this time. Credit to the Swedes who came back from that thrashing by Russia in the second game.

 

Cheers!

 

Tambo