Finland destroys Austria 8-4 in Olympic men’s hockey
Baku, February 13 (AZERTAC). Finland had more than enough offensive talent to overcome its slow start against Austria, even with Teemu Selanne back in the dressing room.
Jarkko Immonen and Mikael Granlund scored two goals apiece as Finland opened preliminary-round Olympic play with an 8-4 victory over Austria on Thursday.
Jussi Jokinen and Petri Kontiola each had a goal and an assist for the Finns, who put 52 shots on beleaguered Austria goalie Bernhard Starkbaum despite playing the final two periods without Selanne, their captain and the leading scorer in Olympic history.The 43-year-old ‘Finnish Flash’ had an assist in the first period of his record-equalling sixth Olympics before sitting out with an upper-body injury. Selanne should be fine for the Finns’ next game, team spokesman Janne Lahti said.
“He’s an old man, so he needs some rest, more than the other guys,” Kontiola said.
Sami Lepisto and Olli Maatta also scored for Finland, which has never lost to Austria at the Olympics. Granlund had a three-point game and defenceman Sami Vatanen had three assists in their Olympic debuts.
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