Malmö is forgotten

One year later Sweden and Finald cross the sticks again in WJC with different feelings:  Sweden comes to quarter-finals with a perfect record and with the usual impression of a very solid team, with no apparent weaknesses, on the other side of the ice a Finland very far from the team world champion 12 months ago in Malmo: Hannu Jortikka team gained access to quarter-finals only at the last gasp, and seems unable to stop Sweden. But the classic Nordic clash is unpredictable, as the Swedish fans that were on the stands of Malmo Arena know well and as the stats evidence: in previous 32 games at WJC, are 15 victories each, with 2 draws.

A dangerous shot each in the first two minutes, Jens Looke for Sweden and Kasperi Kapanen for Finland, defended by Linus Soderstrom and Ville Husso. Leon Bristedt tries with another shot at 4 but Husso is ready to block. Sweden starts the game trying to press opponent to avoid being surprised by the best weapon of Finland: the speed of its forwards.  A proof at 13 when a classy move by Mikko Rantanen allows him to get in Swedish defense and forcing the goalie into a difficult save. The central part of the period has the Finnish color, with Sweden more timid and the best chance at 17 when a mistake by Andreas Englund  puts Kapanen in front of Soderstrom but goalie makes a great save. Same does his colleague Husso on the same situation stopping fan favorite William Nylander. Finland has a penalty for too many men on the ice and bravely fight to prevent the lethal Swedish blueliners to shot at the end of first period.

Juuso Ikonen opens the score for Finland

Nearly two minutes in the second period and Finland opens the score: the shot from the blue of William Lagesson is rebounded and the puck is prey to Juuso Ikonen flying to Swedish net to beat coldly Soderstrom. Sweden earns an important play at 24, an opportunity too good for escape: in 47 seconds is Gustav Forsling to find the net from long range, served by Nylander, to level the score and Lucas Wallmark to mark the overtaking 47 seconds after.  A blow for Finland, that was controlling the game well so far. Sweden survives a power play and scores again with Adam Brodecki reactive in deflecting a shot by Robin Norell at 28:11. In a difficult moment Finland finds the goal that keep the team in the game: at 29:54 Mikko Rantanen beats Soderstrom finalizing a quick counter-attack setting up by Ikonen. A post hit by Sebastian Aho, with Soderstrom still watching was the best chance during a power play earned by active Ikonen. But in the following one Finland ties the game to close an incredible second period: a very smart pass by Julius Honka getting out from defensive zone launches Aleksi Mustonen, his shot is rebounded by Soderstrom but Kasperi Kapanen is ready to tap in the puck for the joy of Air Canada Center. With 2 seconds to play, Sweden has a great chance but Nylander doesn’t take advantage of the open net after a difficult saves by Husso. A controversial penalty called to Julius Honka on the siren forces Finland to play with two men less at the begin of third period, an incomparable advantage for Sweden that in fact has no mercy: Adrian Kempe beats Husso at 41:24, for the second time Finalnd concedes a 5vs3 situation.

Adrian Kempe: 4-3 Sweden

At 49 Leon Bristedt hits Bjorninen on the face with the stick, earning a 4 minutes penalty, but the Finnish snipers Julius Honka and Joonas Lyytinen are not as effective as their counterparts and Soderstrom is ready to block the tentative. The opportunity untapped is decisive: the energy slowly abandons the Finns and at 53:52 William Nylander recover the puck serving Oskar Lindblom for the angled shot with no chances for Husso. A shot by Mustonen blocked by Soderstrom precedes the time out called by Jortikka that pulls the goalie for the last assault. Mustonen saves twice the empty cage but Finland doesn’t produce any notable chance, Wallmark seals the Swedish victory with an empty net goal at 59:56. Sweden flies to semifinals getting rid of the psychological burden of Malmo 2014. Finland goes back home after a brave game following a bad preliminary round preparing to retrieve the crown next year at home.

In the mixed zone the analisys of Mika ilvonen reflects what happened on ice: "They had two five-vs-three chances against us, and they killed us.", while a jubilant Oskar Lindblom confirms the game was really important beside the final results: "We all remember all over the year what happened in Malmo, we are waiting for this day for a year, there was a really great celebration in the locker room"

MVP: Juuso Ikonen – William Nylander

Three best tournament players for Finland: Julius Honka, Mikko Rantanen, Ville Husso

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