After more than two weeks of World Cup play, the Finnish hockey fever reached its climax on Sunday night when the host nation reached the final in Tampere.
For the third world championship in a row, the match for the gold was to be played between Finland and Canada, and after a title each in 2019 and 2021, respectively, it was this time the blue and whites who pulled the longest straw.
This after a dramatic resolution in Nokia Arena to say the least.
A physical, disciplined and strong defensive Canada initially had control of the Finnish offensive, which for two periods was headless and tight.
During the tournament, it has otherwise been the host nation that has excelled in its defense, something that has not least shown itself in boxplay where Finland has held tight all 16 times they have been sent off.
Inappropriate time, the suite burst in the World Cup final.
In the match’s first powerplay, a form of play that Canada was second sharpest in during the championship, it took no more than 35 seconds before Dylan Cozens with a stroke shot made Jussi Olkinuora capitulate between the posts.
The goal was very reminiscent of the decisive 4-3 goal that lowered Sweden in the extra time of the quarter-finals with a quick Canadian passing game before a hard shot from the edge went past the goalkeeper who did not have time to move sideways.
It would not turn out to be the last parallel from that match.
A confused home crowd, who for the first time could see the Lions win the World Cup at home, feared that this would not go their way – but then suddenly the Canadian discipline broke down and Finland got the chance in powerplay after powerplay.
Nicolas Roy went on an interference, Noah Gregor a tripping and Cole Sillinger a high sticking.
Meanwhile, Mikael Granlund took the opportunity to turn the match in Finland’s favor.
First, he used a shot that was walled in the rim and banked the equalizer behind goalkeeper Chris Driedger who at the same time sustained an injury and was forced to break the match.
Matt Tomkins was substituted – who had to hold the zero for one minute and 44 seconds.
Once again it was small from Granlund’s club in powerplay, this time hard in the first cross – and Nokia arena completely exploded.
In that situation, Canada had nothing to oppose, and went on a new setback of just the speed when Joel Armia increased to 3-1 with barely six minutes left to play.
But as Sweden bitterly experienced, the “maple leaves” do not give up in the first place and reduced to 2-3 through Zach Whitecloud with 2.12 left to play – this after the Swedish referee Mikael Nord changed his mind and approved the goal after first rejecting it.
“My mistake,” said the Swede to the audience’s annoyance.
Canada then took out the goalkeeper, bet everything for a draw – and not even a minute later it came.
Just like against Sweden, Canada stood for a senseless pick-up and came in the race from 3-1 to 3-3 after Max Comtois silenced the arena with a final hit before regular match time.
The 11,487 then received a much-needed break of 15 minutes before the match continued with extra time, game three against three.
Once there, it was again a powerplay goal that decided.
With Thomas Chabot sent off, Sakari Manninen was able to score the liberating 4-3 goal which proclaims that Finland is writing history in the World Cup 2022 and is world champion for the fourth time.
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