In a stunning upset, Finland's national ice hockey team, known as the Lions, was defeated by Slovakia 4-1 in their Olympic tournament debut. This result is particularly surprising given that Slovakia is not considered a top-tier team and has only a few regular NHL players. The standout for Slovakia was Juraj Slafkovsky from the Montreal Canadiens, who scored two goals, but overall, Slovakia's performance exceeded expectations against a favored Finnish side.

The match highlighted a significant discrepancy between the anticipated skill levels of the two teams. The Finnish squad, composed mainly of NHL players, was expected to dominate but instead struggled to keep pace with Slovakia's aggressive and fearless play from the opening minutes. Instead of imposing their game through speed and physical play, the Finnish players appeared hesitant and lacked the fighting spirit needed to overcome their opponents. This unexpected performance has sparked outrage among fans and analysts, who are questioning the coaching decisions and strategies employed during the game.

Mikko Rantanen, a key player for Finland, has been singled out for criticism regarding his treatment during the game, adding another layer of controversy to the team's struggles. With expectations for the Finnish team high, this early loss raises serious concerns about their ability to compete in the tournament and the need for immediate reassessment of their game plan as they move forward.