The Finnish national ice hockey team, known as Leijonat, concluded their Olympic journey with a bronze medal celebration, however, the return of their NHL stars to routine life proved to be far less glamorous. According to sports journalist Ben Pope, who closely follows the Chicago Blackhawks, the Finnish players faced more difficulties returning home compared to their American and Canadian counterparts. This discrepancy is largely attributed to the harsh winter weather conditions prevalent in the U.S. at the time.

Upon their return, the Finnish players, including Teuvo Teräväinen from the Blackhawks, found themselves stranded in New York due to severe snowstorms that swept through the area. These storms led to emergency declarations in New York, creating further complications for their travel plans. Reports indicated that the players were stuck in New York for several days because of the inclement weather, which included heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding.

In contrast, the Canadian and American teams adjusted their travel plans to fly to Miami instead, allowing them to avoid the harsh conditions that the Finnish players faced. This situation highlights the unpredictable challenges that can arise in sports logistics, particularly when adverse weather conditions come into play during significant events like the Olympic Games, ultimately affecting the athletes' return to their professional commitments.