The Finnish national ice hockey team, known as the 'Lions', faced a challenging beginning in the Olympic tournament, suffering a shocking loss to Slovakia in their opening match, which put their chances of advancement in jeopardy. The early defeat led to intense discussions and strategizing within the team, as they realized they would have to face powerhouse teams like Canada and the USA in the knockout stages, should they qualify. Fortunately, the team managed to regroup and has since displayed a strong performance in the grouping phase.

As the tournament progressed, the Lions' performance improved dramatically, making them the second most likely team to win a medal, following Canada. According to NHL data service Hockeystats.com, Finland now has a 64% probability of securing a medal, a dramatic improvement in confidence from their initial status. In contrast, Canada is still leading the probability charts with an 81% likelihood, while the USA is at 63%. This favorable projection for Finland raises questions about how they have overtaken the USA, especially given the obstacles that the American team will face in the upcoming quarter-finals.

The medal championship odds present Finland with a 14% chance, which may seem modest compared to Canada and the USA, but reflects a significant turnaround considering their earlier performance. As the tournament continues, much anticipation surrounds how the Lions will perform in the knockout stages, especially with their newfound momentum after overcoming adversity.