Antti Pennanen, head coach of the Finnish national ice hockey team, provided his insights following a crucial victory against Sweden at the Milan Olympic tournament, where Finland won 4-1 after previously losing their opening match to Slovakia. This victory was pivotal, restoring confidence in the team as they faced a competitive Swedish side. Pennanen described the match as an intense battle between two strong teams, emphasizing the players' determination and execution.

In a recent discussion reported by IS and HS, the Finnish team's NHL players speculated about the possibility of bringing in Florida Panthers' head coach Paul Maurice to assist in the coaching strategy for the Olympics. General Manager Jere Lehtinen confirmed that suggestions had surfaced last summer about Maurice potentially joining the coaching staff, indicating that discussions were happening at all levels within the team.

Pennanen expressed that he was unaware of these discussions before the media brought them to his attention on Friday. He refrained from commenting on the rumors about Maurice, stating it was difficult to speculate on matters he had no prior knowledge of. This highlights the dynamics within the team as they navigate public interest and internal strategies leading up to the Olympics.