2022 Olympic Games. Finland - ROC - 2:1
In the grand final of the 2022 Olympic Games, the ROC men's ice hockey team conceded a narrow 1:2 defeat to Finland in Beijing, China.
SKA forward Nikita Gusev competed for ROC, while our defenseman Mikko Lehtonen and forward Leo Komarov took to the ice for Finland.
Mikhail Grigorenko initially gave ROC the lead in the eighth minute of proceedings with an unstoppable wrister from the right faceoff circle on the powerplay.
However, the strong Finns struck back during the early stages of the second stanza, as Ville Pokka's attempt drifted past the unsighted Ivan Fedotov from the right flank.
The decisive marker was tallied a mere 31 seconds into the crucial third period.
At the high slot, Marko Anttila decided to send the puck towards the ROC net, and Hannes Bjorninen was on hand to deftly tip it past the stranded Fedotov.
In truth, Fedotov was much the busier goalkeeper in the concluding frame, pulling off a series of wonderful saves to keep ROC in with a chance. Nevertheless, despite pulling Fedotov for the extra skater in the last minute, ROC barely tested Harri Sateri in the Finnish goal and couldn't create many big opportunities.
Arseniy Gritsyuk had wasted the best ROC chance midway through the period, thumping against Sateri's blocker when in a fantastic position between the circles.
As a consequence of this result, ROC have finished in second position of the tournament, whereas Finland have become Olympic champions for the first time in history.
SKA Hockey Club would like to congratulate Lehtonen and Komarov with Olympic gold, as well as Gusev and goalkeeper Alexander Samonov with the silver medal!
Match protocol:
Finland - ROC - 2:1 (0:1, 1:0, 1:0)
Goals:
0:1 Grigorenko (Nesterov, Gusev), 07.17 PPG
1:1 Pokka (Bjorninen, Ohtamaa), 23.28
2:1 Bjorninen (Anttila, Ohtamaa), 40.31
Goalkeepers: Sateri - Fedotov
Shots on target: 31 - 17
Faceoffs: 33 - 27
Penalty minutes: 2 - 6
20.02.2022.