Recap: Big wins for Finland, USA on Day Three of Four Nations

The Americans advance to the championship game.

First up in day three of the Four Nations tournament was the rivalry match from Europe with Sweden and Finland playing the early meeting so their fans back home could watch and neither team wanted to go down 0-2 in this short tournament.

Sweden took the early lead from Mika Zibanejad in period one but Finland stormed back to tie with a Florida Panthers special finished off by Anton Lundell. In the dying seconds of the first period a moose appeared from the right circle on a power play one timer, yes Mikko Rantanen still has the ability to score.

Sweden took control and the lead back in the second period with a couple defensemen contributing goals in Rasmus Dahlin and Erik Karlsson. But the Finns found the equalizer before the end of the period on a play started by Rantanen and finished by Aleksander Barkov at the net front. The game was tied 3-3 heading into the final frame.

There was no scoring in that third period despite both teams getting good looks. With a crucial standings point secured by both teams they went to overtime. It didn’t take long for Finland to turn a rush the other direction and Mikael Granlund found the dagger and gave Finland the 4-3 victory.

For the nightcap Canada and USA faced-off after each having won their opening match. The winner would have the upper hand on making the championship final game. The fireworks as promised showed up right at puck drop when three separate fights occurred. But each team got on the scoresheet through a goal as well. Connor McDavid opened the scoring for Canada but Jake Guentzel found the equalizer for the US to leave the score tied 1-1 after the first period of play.

Things quieted down as both teams settled into the game. Shots were even at ten apiece in the second period but USA was the side that found the back of the net. Dylan Larkin took a feed from Matt Boldy on a bad line change from Canada to put the Americans ahead and it stayed 2-1 at the second intermission.

The third period was very sleepy with a combined 13 shots on goal. Canada couldn’t generate much before pulling the goaltender. The lone goal of the period was when Guentzel scored another goal into the empty net to secure the victory. It was too little too late for Canada and team USA takes the game 3-1 with an automatic bid into the championship final on Thursday.

Takeaways

It bears watching but it appears Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen was benched for the second half of the game for Finland. He only received one shift in the third period and a total of only 11 minutes time on ice. It’s hard to believe any coach isn’t enamored with the way he plays but Lehkonen was on the ice for two of Sweden’s goals including the go-ahead in the second period.

Cale Makar was a surprise scratch in the evening despite taking the morning skate. The team is calling it an illness issue after they quickly summoned Thomas Harley to Montreal in anticipation of needing an extra defenseman. With a day off to rest it remains to be seen if Makar can suit up for Canada’s final round-robin game against Finland on Monday afternoon.

Upcoming

A day of rest and a trip to Boston for all teams and then a Monday matinee at 11 a.m. MT for Canada-Finland with USA-Sweden kicking off at 6 p.m. MT.