NHL Confirmation Mikael Granlund finished 1 + 1 in the Latvian net in his first match.
14.5. 22:33 • Updated May 14th. 23:39
The Finnish men’s hockey national team continued their World Championships victoriously, defeating Latvia 2–1 in their second match. Finland’s goals were answered Sakari Manninen and played his first match in the tournament Mikael Granlund.
Granlund hit the Lion with a winning goal just over three minutes before the final buzzer. Granlund rose to the left side of the superiority week this time, and with his wrist shot, tapped the puck over the mattress into the net.
Granlund returned to Leo brilliantly after a four-year hiatus as he also built the team’s equalizer in the second set.
– Excited, I jumped into the trough. There is always a special moment to play in Finland in the Lions shirt. It’s OK to play, I’m sure you’ll feel even better when I get to the beat, Granlund said after the match.
– For a long time when I last got to play, the Olympics were missed by NHL players too, so I have missed the Lions.
Latvia bowed to the United States 1–4 in their opening match on Friday, but the team played in a completely different direction against Lions, among other things. That is why Finland had difficulties getting into the first sector in the whole match.
Latvia also hit hard, which is why Finland was already a chase in the opening round. In the finishing time of 8.52 he managed to skate to a superior attack Rudolf Balcerswho received input From Ronalds Kenins.
Finland did not yet reach the best places in the opening round. Indeed, Latvia defended much more closely than it did against the United States, and steered the Lions’ attacks rudely into the corners.
In the second installment, Granlund and Finland’s number one chain got to the heart of the game better. Superiority was offered on two occasions, the first of which succeeded in leveling out the Lions.
Granlund, who brought electricity to first-class power, was building the paint. A pass to the side pulled the defense out of position which let Sakari Manninen slip through on goal.
The first center of the lions moved the puck from the small corner to the net and shouted for the first time the crowded Tampere arena.
Latvia managed to start the final round with force and the first minutes went under their control even after the force.
The first goal in Finland was built by Granlund, but Elvis Merzlikins rejected Manninen’s attempt. A moment later, Latvia was close to leading. Andris Dzerinsin however, the control of the counterattack went a little past the goal.
Towards the end of the match, the Lions overcame, which ended with a shot by Granlund. The Finnish World Cup will continue on Monday against the United States.