Finland's national ice hockey team faced a surprising defeat in their Olympic tournament opener, losing 1-4 to Slovakia. This loss not only shocked fans but also raised questions about the performance of key players, notably Mikko Rantanen. According to the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) statistics, Rantanen had the eighth most ice time among Finnish forwards at 15.25 minutes, though reports from Jatkoaika suggested that the actual ice time could have exceeded 17 minutes, highlighting discrepancies in the game stats.

In a post-practice interview, Rantanen reiterated his commitment to the team's strategy and his trust in the coaching staff. He responded to questions about player utilization and performance, stating that the team comprises four strong lines and that decisions on playtime are made by the coaching staff. His repetition of the phrase "same answer" reflects a consistent message about unity and team responsibility after the disappointing result against Slovakia.

Rantanen assured fans and reporters alike that head coach Antti Pennanen has the trust of the players and emphasized the need for the entire team to improve from their last game. With the emphasis on accountability and collective performance, Rantanen's stance suggests that the team is preparing to bounce back from this setback and focus on future challenges in the tournament.