Oliver Kapanen, a 22-year-old forward, made his Olympic debut on Saturday in the bronze medal game against Slovakia after being sidelined for the entire tournament until that point. Despite not having played a single minute in Milan prior to this match, he joined the first line with Sebastian Aho and Artturi Lehkonen, and ended up with over 16 minutes of playtime. The experience was thrilling for Kapanen, who noted that moments like this are rare in an athlete's career and emphasized his enjoyment during the game.

However, Kapanen also revealed that it had been difficult to enjoy the Olympic atmosphere before this match due to his lack of ice time, which he described as a tough situation. He admitted to feeling a smoldering anger as he sat in the stands, waiting for his chance. This frustration translated into determination on the ice when he finally got the opportunity to prove himself, as he was eager to show what he could contribute to the team after his time on the sidelines.

Head coach Antti Pennanen remarked that Kapanen faced the challenge positively and didn’t want to be thrown into a tough situation against Switzerland in the semi-finals. Kapanen's response to his limited role reflects the emotional journey athletes undergo when balancing the thrill of competition with the frustration of not being able to participate fully. This narrative adds depth to the discussions around player management and mental readiness in high-pressure sporting events.