Underdog Finland aims to spoil Canada-USA rematch - ESPN

BOSTON — The hockey world is still buzzing about Saturday's fight-filled USA vs. Canada game on Saturday night and the possibility of a rematch in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game.

Finland would like nothing more than to prevent that from happening by eliminating Canada on Monday afternoon in Boston.

«We respect Team Canada a lot and their hockey history. So it's going to be a big thing for us if we can win against that team,» said Finland coach Antti Pennanen.

While the U.S. has clinched a berth in Thursday's championship game, the tournament's other three teams still have a path to join them. If either Canada or Finland earn a regulation win in Monday's 1 p.m. ET game at TD Garden, they will advance to the final. If either Canada or Finland win in overtime or a shootout, Sweden could make the final with a regulation win over the U.S. on Monday night (8 p.m. ET).

But if Finland beats Canada in any manner, the tournament favorite is eliminated from 4 Nations.

Pennanen said he anticipates having the Boston fans' support as Finland plays Team USA's archrival. «It's turned around for us now here in Boston. I hope we have the home crowd behind us,» he said.

The Finnish players are well aware of the anticipation for a rematch after Team USA's thrilling 3-1 victory over Canada on Saturday night in Montreal, which featured three fights in the first nine seconds of the game. Forward Erik Haula was on a team bus with his family when that game started.

«I had my 1-year-old on my lap and gave the phone to my 4-year-old, asking if he wanted to watch the game. And then there were three fights in nine seconds and I'm like, 'Hey buddy, what's going on over here?'» he recalled with a laugh.

Playing the spoiler is a familiar