MILAN — Artturi Lehkonen generated chances and recorded a point, but Finland had no answers for a relentless Slovak attack, falling 4–1 in Group B play Wednesday at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
The final score suggests Slovakia controlled possession and dictated the pace throughout. In reality, Finland carried much of the play, outshooting Slovakia 40–25. It simply didn’t translate to the scoreboard.
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Juraj Slafkovský scored twice to lead the Slovak surge, Dalibor Dvorský netted the game-winner, and Adam Ružička added another as Slovakia pulled away.
Lehkonen’s assist helped tie the game 1–1 just 4:15 into the second period, but it wasn’t enough to spark Finland to victory in its Olympic opener. The Colorado Avalanche forward threaded a pass from the left wing to Joel Armia, who quickly set up Eeli Tolvanen for a one-timer at the doorstep to even the score.
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From there, however, the game slipped away.
“We had chances. At the end of the day, you have to capitalize on them,” Lehkonen said afterward.
The 30-year-old had two dangerous looks in the opening period, including a booming one-timer from the slot, but Samuel Hlavaj — a top Minnesota Wild prospect — was sharp in net. Hlavaj turned aside the blast with a stellar blocker save and consistently denied Finland during key stretches.
“We have to learn from our mistakes and scratch this game (from our memory) as fast as we can,” Lehkonen added.
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The matchup also marked the first time Lehkonen and Mikko Rantanen played together since Rantanen’s stunning trade from Colorado to the Carolina Hurricanes last season — a deal that brought Martin Nečas and Jack Drury to the Avalanche. Rantanen was later moved again and signed an eight-year extension with the Dallas Stars upon arriving in Dallas.
If there was any lingering tension between the two Finnish stars, Lehkonen made it clear there is none.
“We’re good friends, so it’s fun to play with (him).”
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