Slovakia Upsets Finland 4-1 Behind Slafkovsky Brace and 39 Hlavaj Saves

Juraj Slafkovsky scored two goals as Slovakia upsets Finland 4-1 to open the first Olympic men's hockey tournament featuring NHL players in over a decade.

Slovakia upsets Finland 4-1 to open the men's hockey tournament at the Milan Cortina Olympics, marking a stunning victory in the first game featuring NHL players in more than ten years. Juraj Slafkovsky led the offense with two goals, finding the net less than eight minutes into the first period by skating through the Finnish defense to beat Juuse Saros. After Dalibor Dvorsky broke a tie with 13 minutes remaining in regulation, Slafkovsky added a power-play insurance goal by wiring a shot past Saros. Adam Ruzicka finalized the score with an empty-net goal to secure the win for a Slovakian roster featuring only seven NHL players against a Finnish squad where all but one player competes in the league.

Goaltender Samuel Hlavaj, a Minnesota Wild prospect currently playing for the Iowa Wild in the AHL, anchored the Slovakian defense by stopping 39 of the 40 shots he faced. Finland dominated the shot clock 40-25 overall, including a lopsided 18-5 advantage in the opening period, yet could only manage a single goal from Eeli Tolvanen. Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators starter, took the loss after allowing three goals on 24 shots. This result reversed the outcome from four years ago in Beijing, where Slafkovsky also scored twice in the opener but Slovakia suffered a convincing defeat to the same opponent.

Slafkovsky and Hlavaj Lead Slovakian Underdogs

Slafkovsky, the 2022 Olympic MVP now playing for the Montreal Canadiens, has maintained his scoring touch on the international stage. Defenseman Erik Cernak noted that the young forward brought the same high level of play he has displayed in Montreal to the Milan ice. While Slafkovsky provided the finishing, Hlavaj provided the stability, fending off repeated Finnish onslaughts. Alternate captain Martin Fehervary labeled Hlavaj the team's best player, admitting that the squad entered as an underdog that few expected to win many games.

The performance caught the attention of Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, who was practicing with the U.S. team in an adjacent rink. Guerin described the strong start for his prospect as "great," even as Slovakia ended a long drought against the Finnish national team. Despite the shot disparity, Slovakia's efficiency on the power play and in transition proved decisive. Finland coach Antti Pennanen acknowledged the difficulty for Saros, who faced relatively few shots compared to his counterpart, and suggested Kevin Lankinen of the Vancouver Canucks could potentially start Friday’s game against Sweden.

Sweden Survives Italian Scare in 5-2 Victory

In other tournament action, Sweden defeated host nation Italy 5-2 despite facing a significant early challenge. Italy took a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the contest when Luca Frigo scored, and later tied the game at 2-2 early in the second period through Canadian import Matt Bradley. Sweden’s captain Gabriel Landeskog provided the initial equalizer for the favorites, while Gustav Forsling scored to give Sweden their first lead before the end of the opening frame. William Nylander eventually netted the game-winner late in the second period to put the all-NHL Swedish roster ahead for good.

Italy’s goaltender Damian Clara, an Anaheim Ducks prospect selected in the second round of the 2023 draft, kept the hosts competitive by making 46 saves on 49 shots. Clara was forced to leave the game midway through the third period due to a right leg cramp and was replaced by backup Davide Fadani. Mika Zibanejad scored on Fadani to extend the lead, and Victor Hedman added an empty-netter to seal the result. Sweden finished with a massive 60-22 shot advantage, with Hedman praising Clara’s "unbelievable" performance for keeping the game close despite the offensive pressure.

Tournament Implications and Upcoming Matchups

Finland captain Mikael Granlund emphasized a lack of panic despite the unexpected loss, noting that the most important games remain ahead. The Finnish team must quickly regroup for a Friday matchup against archrival Sweden. Victor Hedman remarked that the result of the Slovakia-Finland game was not entirely surprising given the closing gap between international programs and the history of Olympic upsets. Sweden's Landeskog attributed their own slow start to rust and nerves typical of an opening game in a high-stakes tournament.

Slovakia now enters their next phase of play with significant momentum, having proven they can compete with medal favorites despite a roster less saturated with NHL talent. The victory validates the play of their young core, specifically Slafkovsky and Dvorsky, while establishing Hlavaj as a primary factor in their defensive strategy. For Italy, the narrow margin against Sweden for two periods provides a morale boost as they continue their home Olympics, highlighted by the elite-level goaltending of Clara. The tournament continues with Finland seeking to reclaim their standing while Slovakia looks to build on their status as a dangerous dark horse.