Finland stuns Switzerland in overtime to reach Olympic hockey semifinals
Finland's ice hockey team has advanced to the Olympic semifinals after a dramatic overtime win. Artturi Lehkonen scored the decisive goal against Switzerland, securing a 3-2 victory. His father, Ismo Lehkonen, watched proudly from the stands while covering another game as a TV analyst.
The Finns now prepare to face Canada on Friday, with a spot in the gold medal game on the line. Organisers expect around 2.5 million spectators across the entire Milano Cortina 2026 Games, though exact attendance figures for the early rounds remain unclear.
Artturi Lehkonen's overtime strike marked his first Olympic goal. The moment was especially meaningful for his father, Ismo, who had just finished analysing the Canada-Czechia match at Santagiulia Arena. He rushed to watch Finland's quarterfinal in the other venue, arriving just in time to see his son's game-winner.
Lehkonen has built a reputation for clutch performances, including the Stanley Cup-clinching goal for Colorado in 2022. His father credits this ability to his competitive nature, which began in childhood. Despite Finland's underdog status against Canada, Ismo believes his team can pull off an upset.
Finland's roster includes multiple players with championship experience, from Stanley Cup wins to World Junior titles. The team acknowledges Canada's superior talent but remains confident in their own chances. Their focus now shifts to Friday's semifinal at Santagiulia Arena, where a victory would send them to the gold medal match.
The Finns enter the semifinal with momentum from Lehkonen's heroics. A win would mark another upset in their Olympic campaign. With a mix of experience and determination, they aim to challenge one of hockey's powerhouses for a place in the final.
