The Finnish national hockey team, known as "Leijonat," faced a shocking defeat against Slovakia in their opening game of the Olympic tournament, ending the match with a score of 1-4. Although Leijonat significantly outshot their opponents 40 to 25 and showed considerable control during the game, they failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Star center Sebastian Aho commented on the loss, emphasizing the need to respect the outcome while acknowledging that they had chances to level the game and take the lead.

Captain Mikael Granlund echoed Aho's sentiment, expressing frustration over missed opportunities despite the strong performance, particularly in the initial two periods of play. The team was able to apply significant pressure and created numerous scoring chances; however, they could not convert these into goals. Granlund pointed out that apart from a few minutes at the start, their gameplay was generally solid, but the defense of Slovakia proved to be resilient, ultimately helping them secure their victory with a goal in the third period.

This definitive moment, Slovakia's third goal, is seen as a turning point that shifted the momentum of the game. The loss leaves Leijonat with a challenging start to the tournament, prompting players and fans alike to consider their strategy moving forward. Aho's call for seeking help implies that the team may need to reconsider their approach or possibly seek assistance through tactical adjustments as they prepare for their upcoming matches in the tournament.