Finland defeats Slovakia for men’s hockey bronze medal: Highlights
Finland remains the biggest medal collector of the NHL era of the Winter Olympics.
The Finns won a bronze medal on Saturday, Feb. 21, by defeating Slovakia 6-1, avenging a 4-1 loss to that country in the opening game of the men’s hockey tournament.
Finland now has five medals in Olympics using NHL players (1998-2014, 2026). It previously won bronze medals in 1998, 2010 and 2014 and a silver medal in 2006, being shut out only in 2002.
The Finns entered the tournament without their best player, Florida Panthers star Aleksander Barkov. And they were without star Mikko Rantanen in Saturday’s game.
But NHL-stocked Finland, which won the 2022 Olympics without NHL players, outplayed Slovakia (seven NHL players) in the bronze medal game.
Sebastian Aho and Erik Haula gave the Finns a 2-0 lead. Slovakia’s Tomas Tatar scored in the final minute of the second period, but Finland pulled away in the third. Roope Hintz and Kaapo Kakko scored 42 seconds apart and Joel Armia and Haula added empty-netters.
Slovakia fell short while trying to repeat as a 2022 medalist (bronze) after defeating Finland in the opener and finishing atop Group B. Finland nearly upset Canada in the semifinals, but the Canadians overcame a 2-0 deficit to advance. Slovakia was routed by the USA in the other semifinal.
There is one men’s hockey game left in the 2026 Olympics. The United States and Canada will play in the gold medal game on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 8:10 a.m. ET (NBC, Peacock).
USA TODAY provided highlights for the bronze medal game between Finland and Slovakia. Here are the highlights:
Finnish players receive bronze medals
Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund are out there for the medal ceremony and team photo. Rantanen didn’t play because of an injury and Granlund went to the dressing room during the game.
Final score: Finland 6, Slovakia 1
Finland wins a bronze medal, their fifth medal in six Olympics using NHL players.
Finland vs Slovakia score: Erik Haula scores again
He scores an empty-netter for his second goal of the game. Finland 6, Slovakia 1
Slovakia pulls goalie
An extra skater is out there.
Mikael Granlund injury update
The Finnish forward is heading to the dressing room.
Finland vs Slovakia score: Joel Armia scores
Slovakia pulls its goalie for an extra skater, but Joel Armia gets an empty-netter. Finland 5, Slovakia 1
Finland vs Slovakia score: Kaapo Kakko scores
Two goals in 42 seconds as Finland is pouring it on. Finland 4, Slovakia 1
Finland vs Slovakia score: Roope Hintz adds to lead
Roope Hintz tip in a shot from his Stars teammate Miro Heiskanen on the power play. Finland 3, Slovakia 1
Finland goes on power play
Adam Ruzicka is called for tripping.
Finland goes on power play
Pavol Regenda is called for slashing. Oliver Kapanen hits the post. Penalty is killed.
Third period underway
Finland leads 2-1.
End of second period: Finland 2, Slovakia 1
Finland was looking good after Erik Haula gave the Finns a 2-0 lead, but Slovakia took advantage of a bad bounce. Tomas Tatar scored with less than 30 seconds left. Those types of goals can be momentum shifting.
Slovakia vs Finland score: Tomas Tatar gets Slovakia on board
A Slovakian shoot-in takes an odd bounce off the glass, forcing Juuse Saros to scramble back into the net. Tomas Tatar picks up the puck and beats Saros with a backhander with 29 seconds left. Big break for Slovakia. Finland 2, Slovakia 1
Roope Hintz slow to get up
The Finnish forward goes hard into the boards and makes his way slowly to the bench.
Slovakia goes on power play
Artturi Lehkonen is called for goalie interference. Penalty is killed. Slovakia gets a couple shots.
Finland vs Slovakia score update
Finland leads 2-0 at the midway point of regulation.
Finland vs Slovakia score: Erik Haula adds to lead
Erik Haula makes a perfectly placed shot from the right faceoff circle. Samuel Hlavaj probably should have that. Finland has scored more goals than it did in the first meeting with Slovakia. Finland 2, Slovakia 0
Slovakia goes on power play
Erik Haula is called for delay of game after putting the puck over the glass. He’s one of Finland’s penalty killers and scored short-handed vs. Canada. Penalty is killed.
Second period underway
1-0 Finland, which starts the period on a power play. Slovakia kills it off and Oscar Okuliar gets off a shot after leaving the penalty box.
End of first period: Finland 1, Slovakia 0
Finland is missing injured Mikko Rantanen but it generated plenty of chances. Sebastian Aho scored the lone goal of the game as the Finns won a net-mouth battle after a Miro Heiskanen shot.
Finland goes on power play
Oliver Okuliar is called for holding. Just 25.5 seconds left in the period, so the power play will carry into the second period.
Finland pressuring Slovakia
Samuel Hlavaj comes up big with saves on Artturi Lehkonen and Oliver Kapanen.
Finland vs Slovakia score: Sebastian Aho gives Finland lead
Miro Heiskanen takes a shot from point. Artturi Lehkonen pokes the puck loose and Sebastian Aho puts it in at 7:27. Finland 1, Slovakia 0
Finland has chances vs Slovakia
Kaapo Kakko’s shot is stopped by Samuel Hlajav. The goalie is out of position, but Kakko can’t get control of the puck for a good shot. Still scoreless.
Finland vs Slovakia game underway
No Mikko Rantanen for Finland because of injury. Finland’s Juuse Saros and. Slovakia’s Samuel Hlavaj are the goalies.
What time is Finland vs. Slovakia men’s hockey bronze medal game today at 2026 Winter Olympics?
Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
Time: 2:40 p.m. ET (8:40 p.m. local)
Location: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (Milan)
Puck drop for the 2026 Olympics’ bronze medal game between Finland and Slovakia is scheduled for 2:40 p.m. ET in Milan.
How to watch Finland vs. Slovakia men’s hockey bronze medal game today at 2026 Winter Olympics: TV channel, streaming
TV channel: USA Network
Streaming options: Peacock (digital only) | NBCOlympics.com | NBC Sports app
Stream Olympic hockey on Peacock
USA Network will broadcast the 2026 Olympics men’s hockey bronze medal game between Finland and Slovakia on Feb. 21. Fans can also stream the game live on NBC streaming app Peacock, on NBCOlympics.com or with the NBC Sports app if they have a cable subscription.
Goaltending matchup
Finland’s Juuse Saros vs. Slovakia’s Samuel Hlavaj, who was pulled in Friday’s semifinal
Mikko Rantanen injury update
Mikko Rantanen won’t play because of an injury. He’s one of the NHL’s top scorers, so this is a big loss for Finland.
Who to watch for Finland
Finland can field an all-NHL lineup. Sebastian Aho (Hurricanes) is known for his speed and two-way play. Goalie Juuse Saros (Predators) has played every game in this tournament and has a 1.80 goals against average and .934 save percentage.
Who to watch for Slovakia
Slovakia has only seven NHL players on the roster, but one is a very recognizable name. Juraj Slafkovsky was MVP of the Beijing Olympics with seven goals and parlayed that into being the No. 1 overall of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He has four goals and four assists in Milan. Dalibor Dvorksy (Blues) has three goals and three assists.
What happened in the first Finland vs Slovakia game?
Slovakia won 4-1. Slovakia’s Juraj Slafkovsky opened the scoring, but Eeli Tolvanen tied the game in the second period. Dalibor Dvorsky put Slovakia back ahead in the third period and Slafkovsky and Adam Rucinsky (empty netter) also scored. Goalie Samuel Hvalaj, who plays in the American Hockey League, made 39 saves in the win.