Finland take out Ukraine 5-1, and are grateful to escape serious injuries

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Finland’s hockey team notched up their second win on Monday night, beating Ukraine 5-1 in a scrappy match that was characterised by some trademark rough tactics from the Ukrainians and almost complete dominance on goal by the Finns.
      Two early strikes from captain Olli Jokinen inside the first seven minutes set the Finnish Lions on course for victory. However, the Ukrainians, who had been expected to defend doggedly and slash at anything that moved in their half of the ice, suddenly moved into offensive mode and scored in the ninth minute with their first real attack of the game through Vadim Shakraitshuk .
      The first period was littered with penalties, five for the Ukraine and three for Finland, and the first Finnish goal and the Ukrainian reply both came on the power-play. The line of Jokinen and wingmen Ville Peltonen and Tomi Kallio was quite too much for the opposition defence, and in the game as a whole Finland racked up 53 shots on goal to the opponents’ 11.
     
Midway through the second period, Ville Peltonen apparently put the result beyond doubt with his first goal of the tournament, but it was not quite over yet. At around 50 minutes, Roman Salnikov seemed to have got the better of Finnish goalie Jussi Markkanen for 3-2. The referee disallowed the goal because another Ukraine player had been interfering with the goaltender.
      This sparked off a storm of booing from the crowd and also galvanised the Ukrainians into some fairly dirty tricks with the stick. The chief victim was Timo Pärssinen, who went off with a split lip and a large bruise on his jaw. Pärssinen had the last laugh, however, returning after treatment to set up Lasse Pirjetä and Niko Kapanen to score the fourth and fifth goals.
      If the Finns had at times looked nervy against Team USA, this was a more workmanlike performance, but in all fairness the opposition on Monday had more size than talent, and with sharper finishing and a less alert Ukrainian goaltender the score could have been a lot higher.
     
Now there is a day off to nurse their bruises before the first really important game, against Slovakia on Wednesday.
      Slovakia were held to a 3-3 draw by the USA on Monday night, and so technically the Finns need only a draw on Wednesday to secure victory in their Preliminary Round group. Nevertheless, they will be looking to take both points to secure their position in the Qualifying Round, where points from matches played against early opponents can be carried forward.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland recover from shaky start to see off Team USA in World Championships opener (26.4.2004)

Links:
  IIHF World Championships 2004

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