Finland beats Slovakia 6-1 to win men's hockey bronze medal at Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan, Italy – Less than a day removed from a heartbreaking semifinal defeat, Finland’s men’s hockey team rebounded with a decisive 6-1 victory over Slovakia at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. The win secured a bronze medal for the defending gold medalists, preventing them from leaving the Games without hardware.

A Quick Start and Slovak Pushback

Finland established control early, with Sebastian Aho scoring the opening goal at 7:27 of the first period. Erik Haula extended the lead to 2-0 in the second period. However, Slovakia, fresh off a 6-2 semifinal loss to the United States, didn’t concede easily.

Tomas Tatar managed to narrow the gap late in the second period with a backhand goal, making it a one-goal game heading into the final frame. The goal came off an unfavorable bounce for Finland, mirroring challenges they faced in their previous contest.

Did You Know? Erik Haula scored two goals in the bronze medal game, including an empty-netter to seal the victory.

Finland Pulls Away in the Third

The third period saw a flurry of activity, decisively shifting the momentum in Finland’s favor. Goals from Roope Hintz and Kaapo Kakko, separated by just 42 seconds, quickly widened the margin.

With the game effectively out of reach, Finland added two more goals, including another from Erik Haula into an empty net, bringing the final score to 6-1. Joel Armia also contributed an empty-net goal.

Expert Insight: A strong finish like this demonstrates Finland’s resilience after a difficult semifinal loss. Securing the bronze medal avoids a complete disappointment and allows them to maintain a competitive standing on the international stage.

Looking Ahead

Finland’s performance at the 2026 Olympics could lead to internal evaluations of their strategies and player development programs. A possible next step for the team may be to analyze the factors that contributed to their blown lead against Canada and address those weaknesses.

Slovakia, meanwhile, is likely to focus on building upon their performance and identifying areas for improvement in future competitions. Their semifinal loss to the United States and subsequent bronze medal game suggest a team with potential, but still needing refinement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the Finland vs. Slovakia game?

The final score was Finland 6, Slovakia 1.

Who scored the first goal of the game?

Sebastian Aho scored the first goal for Finland at 7:27 of the first period.

How many goals did Erik Haula score in the bronze medal game?

Erik Haula scored two goals, including an empty-netter.

What does this result tell you about the competitive balance in international men’s hockey?

Finland beats Slovakia 6-1 to win men’s hockey bronze medal at Milan Cortina Olympics