Milan (Italy) (AFP) – Finland eased the heartbreak of their last-gasp semi-final loss by winning the Olympic men’s ice hockey bronze medal match 6-1 against Slovakia on Saturday. The defending champions found themselves in the battle for bronze after Canada came from two goals down to win their last-four match against the Finns 3-2 thanks to Nathan MacKinnon’s winner in the final seconds.
Goals in the eighth and 29th minutes by Sebastian Aho and Erik Haula at the Santagiulia Arena put Finland in front against Slovakia, before Tomas Tatar’s goal right at the end of the second period set up a tense final 20 minutes. However, Roope Hintz and Kaapo Kakko struck in quick succession in the third period to ensure Finland ended their campaign on the podium, with Joel Armia and Haula scoring late into an unguarded goal.
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Sunday’s final will see tournament favourites Canada and the USA face off for gold on the ice in Milan.
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