Finland closed their round-robin stage with a 3-0 victory over Latvia, securing a likely second-place finish in the standings. The game was marked by Finland’s balanced offense, strong defensive play, and standout performances from Player of the Game, Konsta Helenius.
Related: Finland Snaps Team USA’s Streak in an Overtime Classic
The opening period saw Finland set the tone with crisp passing and relentless pressure. At 7:05, Benjamin Rautiainen broke the deadlock, scoring the game’s first goal off assists from Konsta Helenius and Veeti Väisänen. Helenius, whose creativity and puck control were fully displayed throughout the game, was crucial in generating offensive opportunities for Finland.
The second period continued Finland’s dominance, with Jesse Kiiskinen doubling the lead at 27:06. Assisted by Daniel Nieminen and Heikki Ruohonen, Kiiskinen’s goal was a testament to Finland’s depth and ability to capitalize on turnovers.
Latvia’s Mateiko, meanwhile, remained active, creating offensive opportunities and testing Finnish goaltender Petteri Rimpinen with quick shots and smart positioning.
Despite Mateiko’s efforts, Latvia struggled with penalties, including a key hooking call on Krisjanis Sarts at 24:36, which hindered their ability to generate momentum.
Finland put the game out of reach early in the third period with a power-play goal at 42:05. Kasper Halttunen capitalized on a tripping penalty against Latvia, scoring off assists from Aron Kiviharju and Benjamin Rautiainen. The goal highlighted Finland’s ability to execute under pressure and sealed their dominant performance.
Mateiko continued to lead Latvia’s offensive efforts in the final period, driving the puck into Finland’s zone and creating opportunities, but Finland’s strong defensive structure ultimately stymied Latvia’s chances.
Konsta Helenius earned Player of the Game honours for Finland thanks to his impactful playmaking and leadership throughout the game. His assistance with the opening goal set the tone, and his consistent effort was pivotal to Finland’s success.
For Latvia, Eriks Mateiko was recognized for his relentless energy and offensive creativity. Despite the team’s struggles, Mateiko stood out with his ability to challenge Finland’s defense and generate scoring opportunities.
Up Next:
With their second-place finish in Group A, Finland is set to play the loser of the Czechia vs. Sweden game in the quarterfinals. However, if the USA vs. Canada game goes to overtime, the standings could shift, potentially altering Finland’s opponent.
Latvia’s fourth-place finish in Group A means they will face the top seed from Group B—a challenging prospect for the underdogs, but one they’ll face with determination and grit.
All four quarterfinal matchups will be on January 2nd, 2025.
ITR 39: Conference Finals – Inside The Rink
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