OLYMPICS: Ice hockey-Reigning champions Finland make dramatic quarterfinals comeback to beat Swiss in overtime

MILAN – Reigning Olympic champions Finland made a dramatic comeback to defeat Switzerland 3-2 in overtime and secure a spot in the men’s ice hockey semifinals at Milano Rho Arena on Wednesday. Artturi Lehkonen scored the game-winning goal in sudden death.

Switzerland had built a two-goal lead in the opening period, but Finland fought back, scoring twice in the final period, including the equalizer with just over a minute left in regulation.

In overtime, Lehkonen stayed calm in front of the net and scored just over three minutes into sudden death, sending the Finns through to the semifinals.

“Unreal. It always feels good to score in overtime, but even more so in the Olympics,” Lehkonen said. “During the intermission, we just focused on grinding and plugging away. We knew the chances would come, and we’d bury one or two to get the win.”

Finland, who have medaled in four of the last five Games, came close to being eliminated. The team celebrated wildly as Lehkonen was swarmed by teammates after his ice-cool finish.

The Swiss side dominated early, scoring twice on just five shots in the first period while Finland failed to register a shot in the opening seven minutes, including a power play. Switzerland opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Ken Jager set up Damien Riat, who tapped the puck past goalie Juuse Saros. Just over a minute later, Nino Niederreiter added a one-timer from distance, putting Switzerland ahead 2-0.

Despite Finland outshooting Switzerland two-to-one in the second period, Swiss goalie Leonardo Genoni kept his team in the lead heading into the final period.

The Finns finally responded with just over six minutes remaining. Eetu Luostarinen’s pass found Sebastian Aho, who scored to make it 2-1. “That was a big goal at the time,” Aho said. “We needed something, and Eetu made a great play from the blue line.”

Finland pulled their goalie with over two minutes left, and Miro Heiskanen’s shot deflected off a Swiss defender before finding the net, tying the game.

In overtime, Anton Lundell delivered a perfect pass to Lehkonen, who converted one-on-one with Genoni to clinch the win.

The semifinal matchups will be re-seeded, with the top seed playing the lowest-ranked team. Slovakia and Canada have already booked their spots, while the United States faces Sweden for the final semifinal berth.

-Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Bill Berkrot/Reuters