In an electrifying clash at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Mikael Granlund played the hero for Finland, scoring the overtime winner to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory over arch-rival Sweden on Saturday. Granlund’s decisive goal came just 1:49 into 3-on-3 overtime, sending fans adorned in Finland’s blue and white at the Bell Centre into a frenzy, chanting “Suomi!” as they celebrated a thrilling comeback win.
The contest was a classic battle between bitter Nordic rivals, showcasing a blend of speed, skill, and physicality. Anton Lundell and Mikko Rantanen also found the back of the net for Finland, while Kevin Lankinen stood tall in his debut at the NHL-run international tournament, making 21 crucial saves. Lankinen’s performance was punctuated by a spectacular pad save on Mika Zibanejad just seconds into overtime, preserving Finland’s chance at victory.
Finland’s head coach, Antti Pennanen, made a bold move by switching to Lankinen in net after Juuse Saros struggled in a 6-1 loss to the United States on Thursday night. The gamble paid off, as Lankinen’s steady play helped Finland bounce back against a formidable Swedish team.
The win keeps Finland’s hopes alive in the round-robin tournament, where the top two teams among the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland will advance to the championship game next week in Boston.
Despite goals from Zibanejad and Rasmus Dahlin, Sweden now faces an uphill battle and may need help to reach the final. Goaltending woes plagued the Swedes, as Filip Gustavsson was pulled after allowing two goals on just four shots in the first period. Linus Ullmark stepped in, stopping 15 of 17 shots but couldn’t hold off Finland’s relentless attack.
An injury scare for Finland emerged late in the second period when Aleksander Barkov limped off the ice after blocking a shot. The reigning Stanley Cup champion from the Florida Panthers continued playing, but his status will be closely monitored as the tournament shifts to Boston.
Saturday’s showdown was particularly meaningful, coming 19 years after Sweden defeated Finland in the gold medal game at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. This time, the Finns got their revenge in a gripping, back-and-forth contest. Tempers flared and scrums broke out after the whistles, reflecting the fierce rivalry between the two nations.
With the victory, Finland heads to Boston with momentum, set to face Canada on Monday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET, while Sweden faces a must-win game against the United States at 8 p.m.
The 4 Nations Face-Off continues to deliver high-stakes drama and world-class hockey, setting the stage for an unforgettable finish in Boston.
