Winter Olympics 2022 - Finland win final gold medal in Beijing with first ever men's ice hockey triumph

Finland took the final medal of Beijing 2022, winning the nation's first ever Winter Olympic ice hockey gold with a narrow felling of defending champions the ROC. The Finns became world champions for a third time in 2019 but had never won Olympic gold, twice reaching the deciding game in 1988 and 2006 but falling short. Ad/> But a powerhouse side, capitalising on the absence of the NHL stars, controlled the final, with Hannes Bjorninen atoning for an early, costly stint in the penalty box with the winner just 30 seconds into the last period.

Beijing 2022Slovakia ease to bronze medal in men's ice hockey with 4-0 win over Sweden16 HOURS AGO It was a composed, mature showing from Finland, controlling the encounter throughout and forcing Russian goaltender Ivan Fedotov to bat away several efforts. They began poorly, committing the first major offence of the game in the opening period, with Bjorninen picked out for a high stick while attacking. That allowed ROC to capitalise in the powerplay period, efficiently transferring the puck around the Finnish defence and manipulating an angle for Mikhail Grigorenko to rifle home from inside the right penalty circle.

Finland equalised soon after the resumption. After some sharp stick work came to little as the Finnish team looked hither and thither for an opening, Ville Pokka released a speculative shot for goal. Betwixt two pairs of tangled legs it scuttled, with an unsighted Fedotov beaten between his pads.