Ice hockey-Finland muscle past Sweden, Slovakia beat hosts Italy

MILAN, Feb 13 : Finland beat Nordic rivals Sweden 4-1 to get their Olympic title defence back on track on Friday and Slovakia held off hosts Italy 3-2 to stay perfect in the men's ice hockey tournament.

Gold medallists in 2022, Finland suffered a confidence-rattling defeat by underdogs Slovakia in their group stage opener but were superb in a chippy meeting between Europe's two best teams as the third day of the men's tournament kicked off in Milan.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo and Florida Panthers centre Anton Lundell scored in the first period, as NHL players returned to the Games after a 12-year absence.

Joel Armia added another score in the second, while Mikko Rantanen had the empty netter in the third.

Sweden is set to play Slovakia while Finland play Italy in the final Group B games on Saturday.

Matinpalo's slapshot rattled off the post into the net midway through the first period and forward Lundell tipped the puck out of the air and into the Sweden net with less than five minutes to go before the intermission.

Swedish defenceman Rasmus Dahlin trimmed the lead when he sent in a power play goal from the blue line early in the second period. But with Sweden on another power play with a golden opportunity to even the game about eight minutes later, Finland produced a short-handed goal as Erik Haula - smothered by three Swedes against the boards - got the puck out to an open Joel Armia, who flicked it into the net.

Fans have come to expect fireworks every time the two sides meet and they got just that at Santagiulia Arena with a skirmish before the second intermission that put three players from each team in the penalty box to start the third period.

SLOVAKIA STAY PERFECT

Across town, Libor Hudacek got the