Finns Could Get Swede Surrender

Throughout the ages, Finns have had mixed emotions about Swedes.

Sweden ruled Finland from about 1200 to 1809, and the Swedish language was taught in Finland’s schools. Governmental affairs in Finland were conducted in Swedish too, until a surge of Finnish nationalism revived old customs and language.

In hockey, as well, Finland has been overshadowed by Sweden. Nicknamed “tre kronor” -- three crowns -- for the logo on the front of its jersey -- Sweden has won seven men’s Olympic hockey medals to three for Finland. And Sweden is the only one of the two that has won the men’s Olympic title, having triumphed over Canada in 1994.

The balance of power, though, could change today. Finland has played better than Sweden in these Games, giving the Finns a chance to take the upper hand in this Nordic rivalry when they play for the gold medal at the Palasport Olimpico.

“It is like little brother playing big brother,” said Jari Kurri, a former NHL standout who is the general manager of Team Finland. “And it brings a chill down your spine.”

It’s big news in Finland, according to forward Saku Koivu.

“I think it will be the biggest game ever,” he said. “We all know the importance of it. There will be a lot of emotion involved.”

Finland, 7-0, has dominated every game it has played, scoring 27 goals and giving up five, two to the Czechs in a preliminary-round game and three to the U.S. in the quarterfinals. The Finns have five shutouts, most recently one against Russia in the semifinals.

Finland has the tournament’s top power play, at 15 for 45, and top goaltender in Antero Niittymaki, who plays for the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. He has a .963 save percentage, 1.00 goals-against average and three shutouts, but the team’s success isn’t built on him alone.

Although small up front, the Finns are speedy and conscientious defensively. And as coaches are fond of saying, from good defense comes good offense.

The top two scorers are Finns: Koivu of the Montreal Canadiens has three goals and 11 points, and Teemu Selanne of the Mighty Ducks has six goals and 10 points. Another Finn, former King Olli Jokinen, shares the goal-scoring lead with Selanne.

“I think we know each other really well and we play well as a team,” said Selanne, a four-time Olympian. “Guys have accepted the roles given to them and they do not complain. They are not playing as much as they would in the NHL and they are not complaining.”

Sweden, 5-2, has scored 28 goals and given up 17. The Swedes are the top-scoring team, but their power play is second to Finland’s at nine for 37. However, their penalty killing has been slightly better, giving up only two power-play goals in 25 chances. Finland has killed 26 of 29 disadvantages.

Daniel Alfredsson of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators leads Sweden in scoring with five goals and 10 points and ranks third in the tournament.

Sweden routed Switzerland in the quarterfinals, 6-2, and the Czech Republic in the semifinals, 7-3, but Sweden’s players know they’re in for a tough time against the Finns.

“We will have to work hard to get anything from them,” said Swedish forward Sammy Pahlsson of the Mighty Ducks. “They work really well in their end. They obviously play very solid defense, and nothing will come easy.”