MILAN — Slovakia delivered a surprising 4-1 victory over Finland in the opening men’s hockey game of the Winter Olympics on Wednesday, marking a stunning upset as NHL players return to the Games for the first time in over a decade. Slovakia’s Juraj Slafkovsky, who had scored both of his country’s goals four years ago in a loss to Finland at the Beijing Games, again led the charge with two goals to spark the underdog triumph.
The unexpected result reverberated as Finland entered the tournament seen as a strong medal contender, featuring a roster heavily stocked with NHL talent, including four current Dallas Stars players: Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell, and Miro Heiskanen. Two former Stars, Mikael Granlund and Joel Kiviranta, also dressed for Finland. Despite this, Slovakia, boasting just seven NHL players, defied expectations through relentless effort and goaltending brilliance.
Slafkovsky’s Impact and Slovakia’s Early Dominance
Juraj Slafkovsky, named MVP of the 2022 season and now with the Montreal Canadiens, opened the scoring less than eight minutes into the game, weaving through the Finnish defense before placing the puck past goalie Juuse Saros. Dalibor Dvorsky added a goal with 13 minutes remaining to extend Slovakia’s lead, and Slafkovsky completed his double with a power-play goal, igniting the crowd with celebration.
“This is way better — a way better feeling to win,”
Slafkovsky reflected.
Defenseman Erik Cernak praised Slafkovsky’s consistency across club and international play, saying,
“I guess the Olympics are fitting to him. He’s playing well at the Olympics. I’m really happy for him. He’s playing well in Montreal. Now, he brought the same play, same everything.”
Goalie Samuel Hlavaj’s Crucial Role in Slovakia’s Win
Slovakia’s goaltender, Samuel Hlavaj, proved crucial in keeping Finland’s offense at bay, stopping 39 of 40 shots. Outshot 18-5 in the first period and 40-25 overall, Slovakia leaned on his performance to hold firm against relentless pressure. Hlavaj, a Minnesota Wild prospect playing in the American Hockey League for the Iowa team, earned praise from his teammates and rival players alike.
“We are kind of that team no one’s really expecting us to win much of the games,”
said Slovak alternate captain Martin Fehervary,
“We haven’t won against Finland for a long, long time. I felt like this is the day. I felt like this is the time, and we did it.”
Erik Cernak added,
“To be honest, I’ve never seen him play before, but he was outstanding. He kept us in it in important moments.”
Even Bill Guerin, the Minnesota Wild general manager, praised Hlavaj’s start to the Olympic tournament despite not seeing him play previously. His outstanding goaltending helped fuel Slovakia’s improbable victory.
Challenges for Finland and Upcoming Matchup Against Sweden
For Finland and their goalie Juuse Saros, the game did not unfold as hoped. Saros, the Nashville Predators starter, allowed three goals on 24 shots. Finnish coach Antti Pennanen expressed cautious optimism about Saros’s performance, noting it was a challenging game for him.
“I like how Juuse played, and it wasn’t an easy game for him because not that many shots,”
Pennanen said.
Eeli Tolvanen scored Finland’s only goal to keep hope alive in the matchup, but an empty-net goal by Adam Ruzicka cemented Slovakia’s triumph. Finland will face off against their fierce rivals, Sweden, on Friday, with goaltender Kevin Lankinen a possible starter for that game.
Team captain Mikael Granlund acknowledged the disappointing start but stressed resilience and focus on the path ahead.
“Obviously, it wasn’t the start we wanted,”
Granlund stated.
“But yep, now we have another chance Friday against Sweden. But we all know the most important games are ahead of us. No panic.”
Significance of the Upset and Future Implications
Slovakia’s win against a star-studded Finnish team significantly alters expectations for the Olympic hockey tournament and exemplifies the unpredictability inherent in the Games. The victory not only boosts Slovakia’s confidence but also signals to other contenders that no team should be underestimated, even if they lack the roster depth of traditional powerhouses. For Finland, this loss will serve as motivation to regroup quickly for their next challenge against Sweden, emphasizing the importance of resilience in knockout competitions.
The Dallas Stars’ presence on the Finnish roster underscores the personal stakes involved, blending NHL prestige with Olympic pride, as players strive for excellence on the world stage amid intense pressure. The tournament’s opening day has set an electric tone, promising thrilling contests as the competition advances.
