Sweden beat Finland thanks to referees? Jalonen is not spared criticism after the quarter-final elimination: They’re kicking the NHL’s ass!

Finland has had another unsuccessful championship. It failed to do well in the group stage and the World Championship ended in the quarter-finals. Sweden, however, was an evenly matched opponent, and it was decided in extra time. The Czech team’s opponents were helped by the referees.

After great years, Finland, or rather its national hockey team, is experiencing an unpleasant fall. It won two golds and one silver at the 2019, 2021 and 2022 World Championships, only to finish seventh last year and even worse this year.

Jukka Jalonen’s charges advanced from the group to the knockout battles from fourth place. They won only three of their seven matches. They lost not only to Canada, but also to Switzerland and, sensationally, to Austria.

In the quarter-finals, however, they could have atoned for their poor start to the tournament, but they faced perhaps the toughest possible opponent. Sweden, packed with NHL stars, hadn’t lost a single point in the entire event so far.

And that’s kind of what the game looked like. Tre Kronor were more active, better all game. But they waited until the 16th minute of the third period to score. With less than a minute left in regulation, Finland managed to tie the game at 1:1 and it went to overtime. It was decided by Eriksson Ek at 5:54.

Finland finished eighth in this year’s World Championship. Sweden advanced to the semi-finals and will play the Czech Republic in the final on Saturday afternoon.

Finland complains about the referees

Suomi is reporting dissatisfaction after an early finish at the world championships. Not only with their performance and results. Coach Jukka Jalonen complained about the referees after the elimination.

“Our opponent was a team with great NHL players and also the referees. That makes it a very difficult task. Sometimes I just wonder and ask who they are kissing. THE NHL? I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong, but I just have this feeling,” Mummorulla was quoted by Finnish news server.

Most of the Finnish hockey public agrees with Jalonen and his criticism of the referees, including experts and former stars such as Olli Jokinen. However, this does not excuse the fact that Finland did not “get caught” even in the regular group. There is also dissatisfaction with the defensive concept of the game, which seems to have lost its effectiveness.

Source: Mummorulla, IIHF