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Olympics: Finland Wins Bronze Over Slovakia
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Olympics: Finland Wins Bronze Over Slovakia

Originally posted on Inside The Rink  |  By Jayd Serdy  |  Last updated Feb 22, 2026 9:35 AM ET

Team Finland earned the Bronze Medal against Team Slovakia on Saturday afternoon, winning 6–1. Their second medal in the past two Olympic Games. They have also won a medal in every men’s Olympic tournament featuring NHL players. The only exception being the 2002 Games.

The game started with both teams appearing evenly matched, but Finland got on the board first with a goal from Sebastian Aho, which ultimately set the tone for the rest of the game. Slovakia’s lone goal came from Captain Tomas Tatar. The team had quite a few strong chances to score, but Finland’s Juuse Saros was on his A game.

In addition to Aho’s goal, Team Finland saw two goals from Erik Haula. One each from Roope Hintz, Kaapo Kakko, and Joel Armia.

Lineups

Slovakia

Slafkovsky — Ruzicka — Tatar
Kelemen — Cingel — Regenda
Okuliar — Dvorsky — Hudacek
Liska — Sukel — Cehlarik

Fehervary — Nemec
Gernat — Cernak
Marincin — Ceresnak

Goaltenders: Hlavaj, Skorvanek

Finland

Lehkonen — Aho — Kapanen
Granlund — Hintz — Teravainen
Luostarinen — Lundell — Kakko
Tolvanen — Haula — Armia

Lindell — Heiskanen
Mikkola — Ristolainen
Maatta — Jokiharju

Goaltenders: Saros, Lankinen

Period One

Both teams opened regulation with Samuel Hlavaj in net for Slovakia and Juuse Saros between the pipes for Finland. The pace was steady early, but Finland broke through at 7:27 when Sebastian Aho slipped a shot past Hlavaj to give Finland a 1–0 lead. The goal was assisted by Arturi Lehkonen and Miro Heiskanen.

Goal (7:27, 1st — FIN) Sebastian Aho
Assist: Arturi Lehkonen, Miro Heiskanen

Slovakia’s Oliver Okuliar was called for holding at 19:34, giving Finland a power-play opportunity that carried over into the start of the second period. Finland closed the frame ahead 1–0.

Period One Stats
Score: FIN 1 — SVK 0
Shots On Goal: 10 FIN, 6 SVK
Saves: Saros 6, Hlavaj 9
Power Play: FIN 0/1, SVK 0/0
Penalty Minutes: FIN 0, SVK 2

Period Two

Slovakia started the second period with more fire, looking to even the score. At 23:08, Erik Haula was assessed a two-minute minor for delay of game, sending Slovakia to its first power play of the afternoon. Although Slovakia did not convert, they generated a strong scoring chance that was turned aside by Juuse Saros.

Finland extended its lead at 28:05 when Erik Haula scored to make it 2–0, with assists from Joel Armia and Eeli Tolvanen.

Goal (28:05, 2nd — FIN) Erik Haula
Assist: Joel Armia, Eeli Tolvanen

Goal (39:30, 2nd — SVK) Tomas Tatar
Assist: Libor Hudacek, Dalibor Dvorsky

Period Two Stats
Score: FIN 2 — SVK 1
Shots On Goal: 12 FIN, 15 SVK
Saves: Saros 14, Hlavaj 11
Power Play: FIN 0/1, SVK 0/2
Penalty Minutes: FIN 4, SVK 2

Period Three

Slovakia came into the third period down one goal, fighting hard in an attempt to even the score. However, Finland was also working to extend its two-goal lead. Finland generated a few quality shots, but Samuel Hlavaj worked hard to keep them out.

At 40:39, Slovakia’s Pavol Regenda was called for slashing, followed by another penalty at 47:47 when Ruzicka was assessed a tripping minor. Finland’s Roope Hintz capitalized on the power play at 48:27, giving Finland a 3–1 lead. That was shortly followed by another goal at 49:09 from Kaapo Kakko. Up to that point, both teams had been evenly matched, but Finland began to dominate the ice.

At 55:11, Slovakia pulled Hlavaj for the extra attacker, and just 20 seconds later, Finland’s Joel Armia scored on the empty net to give the team a 5–1 lead.

Period Three Stats
Score: FIN 6 — SVK 1
Shots On Goal: FIN 13, SVK 10
Saves: Saros 10, Hlavaj 9
Power Play: FIN 1/2, SVK 0/0
Penalty Minutes: FIN 0, SVK 4

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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