Nordic battle in a spirit of a 11-goal-fest

Finns have shown a great resilience and won the prestigious measuring of forces with Sweden. Blue and Whites went four times to a lead a three times Swedes managed to make the score tied. Once they even deleted a two-goal lead of their opponent. However, it was not enough. A breathtaking battle ended up by the Finnish victory 7-4.

In the 3rd minute, Petri Partanen sent the puck dangerously in front of the Swedish goal, but the puck just flew into the corner of the playground. Then, after a long time also Swedes got a chance and Jesper Kokkonen hit the post from the place between the circles. The first power play went for Finnish team - Johan Erkgards got a minor penalty for roughing but Swedes killed this penalty. In the 9th minute, Pellinen was in a great opportunity! From the middle line hot a pass in a high speed and skated to the Swedish goal, but only hit pads of the goalkeeper Ollikainen. The score was opened in the 14th minute. Finnish players managed to transform their pressure into a goal thanks to Kari Lohtander. However, the game was tied soon again. In the 17th minute, Markus Nilsson saw Robin Wall who was skating in front of the net, passed him precisely and his teammate didn´t hesitate to beat Hovi. At the very end of the second part, Finnish players found a way to get themselves into a leading again. Kim Strömberg closed his eyes, fired from the middle of the zone and scored!

Not long after the start of the second half, Swedes tied again. Eriksson passed to Emil Bejmo, who skated closed to barriers forward and found a loop in Hovi´s position. The goal feast continued by 2 quick Finnish goals. Sami Karkkanen and Virtala sent their team in two-goal lead and their successes weren´t even 1 minute far away. However, the same situation went also for the opponent. Bejmo answered to Virtala´s goal after 26 seconds and his teammate followed his lead and made the game tied for the 3rd time in the 36th minute. Finnish players did not care, if they lost a promising lead, they just took it back in the 38th minute thanks to Kari Lohtander. When Swedes was touching for the tying again, contrary, their opponent hit for the 6th time. Finnish punished a hesitation on the Swedish side, skated into a giveaway 2 on 1, Virtala passed to the second wave to Kari Lohtander , who scored his 2nd goal in this game. And the final touch was made also by the Team Finland. Markus Jokinen sent the puck into the empty net, when Swedes called off their goalie as the last effort to steal the win.