MILAN (AP) —Much like Canada, Finland was trailing late in its game against Switzerland. The Finns also got a late goal to avoid an upset defeat.
Miro Heiskanen tied it with 72 seconds left, Artturi Lehkonen scored in overtime and Finland escaped with a 3-2 victory. Heiskanen’s shot banked in off Switzerland defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler’s stick and past goaltender Leonardo Genoni.
Beyond Heiskanen’s goal, the Dallas Stars’ Finnish contingent was heavily involved on Wednesday. Forwards Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz assisted Heiskanen on the game-tying score while defenseman Esa Lindell tallied assists on Finland’s other two goals.
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Finland was actually down two goals after Switzerland’s Damien Riat and Nino Niederreiter scored 1 minute, 12 seconds apart in the first period. It took until there was 6:06 left before Sebastian Aho got Finland on the board.
Marner’s backhanded goal 1:22 into OT — assisted by Macklin Celebrini and Stars defenseman Thomas Harley — put Canada into the semifinals Friday.
The Americans cruised through preliminary play and a match against Sweden could prove to be their first real test in Milan.
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