Finland Wins First Euro Hockey Tour Stage in Helsinki

Reigning world champion Finland won the first stage of the Euro Hockey Tour, a recurring series of European national team ice hockey tournaments, held in Helsinki. The Finnish men's team beat Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Sweden and finished first overall with eight points.

Games in Helsinki

Finland opened on 5 November with a 3:1 win over Switzerland, whose team played in the final at the most recent world championship. Both sides put 23 shots on target. Robi Jerventi, who plays in Switzerland this season, scored twice for the Finns.

On Saturday, 7 November, Finland beat the Czech Republic 2:1 in a shootout, even though the Czechs outshot the hosts 41:23. Juho Lammiko scored in the second minute, and the equaliser late in regulation came from defenceman Andrej Sustr, a long-time Tampa Bay Lightning player who now plays in the Finnish league. In the shootout the Finns converted two of six attempts. Kim Saarinen, the 20-year-old starting goaltender of HPK Hameenlinna, was outstanding.

In the final game on 8 November, Finland edged Sweden 3:2 despite having fewer shots (23:28). Sweden had taken a 2:1 lead, but in the second period Jere Innala and veteran Iiro Pakarinen put the Finns back in front. Miko Lehtonen, a defenceman with Zurich Lions, recorded a goal and an assist. Finland's net was guarded in this game by 20-year-old Espoo goaltender Peteri Rimpinen.

Standings

Sustr and 20-year-old Swedish forward Jack Berglund led the tournament in scoring with three points each (2+1). Sweden finished second with seven points, the Czech Republic third with seven, and Switzerland fourth.

The next stage of the Euro Hockey Tour will take place in Zurich from 10 to 13 December.