Finland Beats The USA 4-1

NHL.com

It wasn't a pretty sight Wed. afternoon when the USA played against Finland in the 2nd game of the WJC. For most of the game the USA I think pretty much dominated, even when Finland went up by a 1-0 score in the 2nd period. It was almost like playing EA Sports NHL 12, where you can dominate the play, out shoot the other team by a 2-1 margin, but just can't stick it in the net. A ton of credit could go to Finland Goalie Sami Aittokallio as he stopped 38 of 39 shots in the game, with 16 coming in the 2nd period alone. I'm sure the Colorado Avalanche were happy to see that performance from their prospect. In the opening minute of the 3rd period though, Team USA was able to score their first goal of the game thanks to a redirection from Brandon Saad. Momentum was on the USA side, both goalies were playing strong and half way through the 3rd period the USA was given a Power Play opportunity. However, just a few seconds into the power play USA goalie John Gibson took a interference penalty, tripping up a player skating by the crease to set the play to 4 on 4. Really if you want to point out the key moment, that was it. In my opinion the USA lost all momentum and focus from this point on. In the ending moments of the 4 on 4, Markus Granlund scored on a breakaway to give Finland a 2-1 lead. A few seconds later Mikael Granlund scored to make it a 3-1 Finland lead. What all was said and done Finland took down the USA by a score of 4-1.

I hate to point the finger at the guy but Gibson really killed the USA in this game. Not from goals scored on but on that interference penalty. I'm not the only one who was baffled by it and it was easily the turning point. That said Team USA didn't capitalize on the rebounds Sami Aittokallio was leaving and the USA was passing a bit too much, trying to make things pretty. Either way, I don't like the fact NHL.com labeled this a upset. Before this game I wrote that Finland was a lot better then what they showed against Canada. They just got the unlucky draw of having to play them first without being battle tested. What more Finland has always given the USA some problems. Not like they have our number but the games tend to be close and very hard fought. Whether it be in the WJC or the Olympics. Either way things have gotten much more difficult for the USA, and if they want to get into the elimination round they HAVE to win against the Czech Republic on Friday.