Criticism of the Finnish World Championship team began before the championship, when Finland lost a training match against Switzerland with a whole 8–2.
And after the start of the championship, they will not directly have silenced the critics. Although they have won their two opening matches.
After the premiere win against Austria with 2–1, the team took another win against France, seen in advance as one of the weaker teams.
But it was anything but a comfortable win.
In the third period, France took the lead with 2–1 and shocked the Finns. And when Jordann Perret scored 3–1 into an empty net, it looked like the huge fiasco for Finland was a fact.
But shame on those who give up. After a reduction with 93 seconds left, and an equalizer with just 28 seconds left, Finland caught up and took the match to overtime. Both goals were signed by Seattle forward Eeli Tolvanen.
And in overtime, it would eventually go Finland's way.
The decisive 4–3 goal was scored by Juuso Parssinen, and the new national team captain Antti Pennanen could breathe a sigh of relief.
But it won't get easier ahead.
Already tomorrow evening, it's time for a new match for the Lions. And this time, the opposition, at least on paper, is not as manageable. Then Finland faces off against Tre Kronor on home soil.
