The Finnish men’s national ice hockey team will meet Canada in the quarterfinals of the World Cup on Thursday. Urheilu’s expert Ismo Lehkonen reminds us that Canada is at its best in tight spots.
The Lions will face Canada in the quarterfinals of the World Hockey Championships in Tampere on Thursday evening. This was confirmed on Tuesday night when Canada defeated the Czech Republic 3-1.
The final match of the night of the Lions against Denmark no longer matters, because Finland is sure to be third in its group.
Before the final game of the group, Canada had lost to Norway in the winning goal contest 2–3. Sports expert Ismo Lehkonen according to Canada was like reborn after the defeat.
– They were serious about the Czech Republic and wanted to end the regular season with a win, says Lehkonen.
Lehkonen also noted an interesting contradiction about Canada.
– Canada’s game showed that they want to play fast. However, it is a question mark for me if there are fast players in the team.
– Canada is very strong in dueling. They were able to catch loose pucks well and the defenders were firepower. Now there was even a disciplined Canada where you could find determination. They are at their best when the stakes are score or out.
12:20 p.m. Germany–France (Tampere) 5–0
At 12.20 Slovakia–Norway (Riga) 4–1
16:20 Sweden–United States (Tampere)
16:20 Canada–Czech Republic (Riga) 3 to 1
20:20 Finland–Denmark (Tampere)
20:20 Switzerland–Latvia (Riga)
The Czech Republic would have been stronger here
The Lions have had challenges during the games, when the opponent has come from above and put pressure on the Finnish defense. From this point of view, Lehkonen would have considered the Czech Republic an even worse opposition.
– However, the Euro Hockey Tour has played against each other and Finland’s way of playing is familiar to the Czech Republic.
The expert has such an itch that Canada wants to pressurize with up to three players. Defenders, on the other hand, may drive strongly towards the puck player near the offensive blue line.
– Even though our pucks have had problems with the puck under pressure, I have strong confidence that Finland will be able to play through it in the kasi game.
According to Lehkonen, Canada’s trap playing does not convince. The quintet may crack up badly during the match.
– It would seem that during the 60 minutes, Canada’s discipline may crack. Three, even four players can be passed with one pass.
Familiar from the finals
Canada is a rarely familiar opponent for Finland in the finals. Finland and Canada have met in the finals in the three previous World Cups. Two of these ended with Finland winning (2019 and 2022). In the spring of 2020, the World Cup was not played because of the corona.
Canada was second in Group B. Norway lost before Canada bowed to Switzerland with 2–3 goals. The team won against Latvia (6–0), Slovenia (5–2), Slovakia (2–1 vl) and Kazakhstan (5–1).
Finland and Canada will meet on Thursday at 20:20 in Tampere. follows the events of the match moment by moment in the application and on the website.