head coach: Hannu Aravirta

roster: F - Raimo Helminen, Olli Jokinen, Sami Kapanen, Saku Koivu, Jari Kurri, Jere Lehtinen, Juha Lind, Mika Nieminen, Kai Nurminen, Janne Ojanen, Ville Peltonen, Kimmo Rintanen, Christian Ruuttu, Teemu Selanne, Esa Tikkanen, Antti Tormanen, Juha Ylonen; D - Aki Berg, Tuomas Gronman, Jere Karalahti, Marko Kiprusoff, Janne Laukkanen, Jyrki Lumme, Kari Martikainen, Janne Niinimaa, Teppo Numminen, Pasi Sormunen, Mika Stromberg, Kimmo Timonen; G - Pasi Kuivalainen, Jarmo Myllys, Ari Sulander, Jukka Tammi.

game results:

ROUND ROBIN
Czech Republic   L 3-0
Russia           L 4-3
Kazakhstan       W 8-2

QUARTERFINAL
Sweden           W 2-1

SEMIFINAL
Russia           L 7-4

game recaps:
Round Robin: Finland vs Russia
Bronze Medal Game: Finland vs Canada

Finns Flash Bronze
by Michael Dell, editor-in-chief

It's hard to imagine the Olympics going any better for Finland. Not expected to be medal favorites, the Finns snuck up on everybody and skated away with the bronze, upsetting mighty Canada to claim the precious spot metal. But even if they had lost to the Canadians, the Olympics would have still been a success for the simple fact that the Finns were responsible for knocking off arch-rival Sweden.

Jari Kurri by Meredith Martini

The two mortal enemies clashed in the quarterfinal round, with Finland prevailing by a 2-1 score. Teemu Selanne broke a scoreless tie in the third period with a pair of goals. The first was a two-on-one that Teemu kept the whole way, faking a pass before wristing a low shot past Swedish netminder Tommy Salo. The second was a tic-tac-toe power-play goal that saw Selanne sneak free down low and finish off a tap-in. The Swedes did their best to battle back, but all they could muster was a goal by Peter Forsberg with 12 seconds left. The Finns just totally shut down the vaunted Swedish attack with a team commitment to defense. It was a sterling performance and the club's pinnacle moment in the tournament.

The Finns had gotten better as the tournament progressed and were firing on all cylinders when it came time to play the Swedes. Things didn't start out that way. The club got off to a 0-2-0 start thanks to losses to the Czech Republic (3-0) and Russia (4- 3). Next up was Kazakhstan. That's usually a cure for all that ails ya. Sure enough, Finland found its stride by rolling the overmatched Kazakhstanians, 8-2.

The Finns were sky high after upsetting the Swedes, but were quickly brought down to Earth by Pavel Bure and the Russians. Bure erupted for a natural hat trick to post the Russians to a 3- 0 lead. After the Finns battled back to knot the game at 4-4, Andrei Kovalenko put the Russians back in front early in the third period and then Bure potted two more to make the final 7-4. The airtight defense that thwarted the Swedes had completely abandoned Finland. The Russians exploited the mistakes with the big play, scoring on numerous breakaways. Of course, Jarmo Myllys didn't exactly help the cause with some weak play in net, but it was Jarmo Myllys... so that was sort of in the cards.

The loss was devastating. Finland was a team that prided itself on hockey smarts and a commitment to defense, yet they got ripped for seven goals, including five by one player. That's a tough pill to swallow. It was like one of those Bugs Bunny multi- vitamins with extra iron. Aw, those are rough...

Janne Laukkanen by Meredith Martini

The setback was especially painful to Myllys. He was so physically and emotionally spent after the defeat that he couldn't suit up the next day when Finland battled Canada for the bronze. That meant the club would have to rely on backup Ari Sulander. Oh boy. Things were made even worse when Selanne had to back out of the game with a pulled stomach muscle. Hard to get happy after that one.

They were without their best player and their best goaltender, but the Finns still had high hopes. High apple pie in the sky hopes. Canada was the rubber tree plant and the Finns moved it to the tune of a 3-2 victory. Sulander was surprisingly solid in net, although his teammates made sure he wasn't tested too severely. Yes, the Finns returned to their prime defensive form and the Canadians never knew what hit them. Canada was still reeling from its 2-1 shootout loss to the Czechs and didn't seem prepared to handle the Finnish defensive scheme. And without Selanne, the club reunited the Huey, Duey, and Luey line of Saku Koivu, Jere Lehtinen, and Ville Peltonen to lead the offense. The trio responded by producing a pair of goals, including the game-winner off the stick of Peltonen early in the third period.

Beating Sweden and Canada in the same tournament is nothing to sneeze at. Although, as always, dust, pollen, and ragweed often are. Finland has to be proud of its team. And no one deserves more praise than Selanne. The Finnish Flash was the best all- around player in the tournament. He was the picture of poise and confidence. He led the tournament in scoring with four goals and 10 points. If anyone out there was doubting the greatness of Selanne, all they had to do was watch him hover above the ice for Finland and they were converted. Right now, at this very moment in time, Teemu Selanne is the best player on the planet.

Finland's top line of Selanne, Koivu, and Lehtinen was the best in the Olympics. Koivu matched Selanne with 10 points and led the tournament with eight assists. He was as crafty as ever, darting to and fro' with the puck. And Lehtinen just continues to impress. He was third on the team with four goals and six points. His stellar two-way play and quick shot have him knocking on the door to superstardom.

LCS Favorite Juha Ylonen by Meredith Martini

Another standout for the Finns was defenseman Teppo Numminen. But when isn't Teppo a standout? This guy is so steady that he never gets noticed. He should really make more mistakes just so people hear his name more. Pretty soon people are gonna start callin' him the dictator, because Teppo's always in control.

TURNING POINT: Leave it to Jari Kurri to provide a key goal. The elder statesman of Finnish hockey put his club in front of Canada 1-0 with a power-play goal 3:33 into the first period. Canada came out of the gate early and misfired on a few quality scoring chances. And with Selanne out and Sulander in net, it seemed like the Maple Leaf were poised for a blowout. But then Kurri snapped a shot past Patrick Roy's glove and the fates took notice. The early goal settled the Finns down and set the stage for the eventual upset.

TEAM MVP: Sure, they won the bronze medal game without him, but Selanne was the best player in a Finnish sweater, or any uniform for that matter. All hail Selanne. Selanne is great.

SURPRISE: Hey, how about that Sulander guy? He was Finland's third string goaltender, but coach Hannu Aravirta had a hunch and used him against Canada for all the marbles. Sulander responded with a solid effort, turning aside 32 shots.

DISAPPOINTMENTS: Jarmo Myllys was pretty shaky at times in net. Hell, he was shakier than my uncle Earl during a field sobriety test. But the Finns knew that goaltending was going to be a problem coming in, so it was expected. The only real disappointment for the Finns was that Selanne was unable to go in the final game, denying all true hockey fans the pleasure of watching him play.

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