The atmosphere in Milan intensified on Sunday as a charter fleet carrying NHL stars crossed the Atlantic to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years. Various national teams, including the Finnish contingent, quickly hit the ice at the Santa Giulia arena or its practice rink the same evening. Mikko Rantanen, a major player for the Finnish national team, expressed his enthusiasm after practice, noting that despite the journey, he felt energized and not too fatigued.

The Finnish team, known as the Leijonat, conducted a high-intensity training session in a practice rink set up in a press tent. Before this, they had the chance to explore their accommodations in the Milan Olympic Village and found the amenities quite satisfactory, with large dining halls and a variety of food options available. Rantanen mentioned the joy of seeing other athletes and the overall positive atmosphere among the competitors, which was indicative of the Olympic spirit.

In a light-hearted moment, Rantanen shared that his roommate for the Olympic stay is Rasmus Ristolainen, a towering defenseman who is playing for the national team after a decade. They share a bond as Turku natives, and in a humorous remark, Rantanen noted that no one else wanted to pair with them, establishing a sense of camaraderie as they prepare for the events ahead.