Sweden took down Finland during the semifinal game Friday morning and advanced to the finals after a 2-1 victory.
The Olympic game in Sochi started somewhat unhurried because both teams were fearsome of making a slip-up, giving the other team an opportunity to score.
Finland had a 95 second long, two man advantage in the first period but it was no match for New York Ranger and team Sweden goalie, Henrik Lundqvist.
Teemu Selanne fired a pass on a powerplay over to the Sweden goal but was shut out by Lundqvist as well before it crossed the goal line.
The second period brought more entertainment as the pace picked up. Finland started the scoring at 6:17 into the period when Olli Jokinen fired a shot that squeezed its way between Lundqvist’s legs, making it 1-0, as reported in ESPN
Five minutes later, Sweden answered back with a pass from Jonathan Ericsson to Loui Erikson. The low shot beat Kari Lehtonen who was starting instead of Tuukka Rask, who was ridden with the flu, according to SBS
Karlsson scored the last and game-winning goal when he blasted a shot into the net, hitting into Lehtonen on the way.
Lundqvist continued to defend the Sweden goal and finished with 25 saves and a 2-1 win over Finland.
Sweden advances to Sunday’s final for the gold medal against the winner of the USA vs. Canada game, while Finland will play the loser of that same game for the Bronze.
