Agility combined with well-designed power play were the key elements in the first performance of the Finnish men’s ice hockey team on the Olympic ice. The effort resulted in a comfortable 5-1 victory over Belarus in Group C.
”I would lying if I claimed that scoring goals did not have an effect. From the point of view of one’s self-confidence it is important”, said winger Niklas Hagman who scored twice against Belarus.
Centre Mikko Koivu crowned his afternoon with three assists. One of Koivu’s passes helped Valtteri Filppula to score his first-ever national team goal.
“I did not think of keeping the puck as a souvenir”, said Filppula, who appears in Finland’s number one forward line with Mikko Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu.
Calgary Flames Executive President and Chief Executive Officer Ken King must have been all smiles after having signed Hagman to his team two weeks ago. The Finnish forward proved red-hot in his Olympic opener.
Belarus was left somewhat weaponless against the Finnish Lions. Already in the first period Finland scored twice, both times in power play situations.
The first of the two goals was scored by Olli Jokinen and assisted by veteran Teemu Selänne, who is playing in his fifth Olympics.
Selänne’s assist point tied him with Soviet legend Valeri Kharlamovand Czech Vlastimil Bubnik for most-ever points earned in Olympic ice hockey.
Head coach Jukka Jalonen has laid special emphasis on the importance of role differentiation particularly in power play situations. Hagman assumes a place in a trio with Mikko Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu. Jokinen, on the other hand, reaches for the goal with Selänne and another legend Saku Koivu delivering the passes.
