Mikko Rantanen revealed what he thought when Artturi Lehkonen got a breakaway

MILANO.

Finland rose from the brink of defeat to victory against Switzerland in the Olympic quarter-finals. The Lions were down 0-2 with about six minutes left in the third period.

Sebastian Aho narrowed the gap, Miro Heiskanen equalized, and finally Artturi Lehkonen scored the winning goal in overtime.

– The character of the team shows that at no point did we give up, even when it looked a bit bleak before Sepe [Aho] scored. But it was a big goal; the guys made big plays. There was Sepe, and then Miro [Heiskanen] and Arsi [Lehkonen], of course, on the breakaway, Mikko Rantanen said after the match.

The Lions banged their heads against the wall for a couple of periods until Aho finally succeeded. The celebration was released, and it freed the whole team as well.

– Yes, it makes it easier. A two-goal lead is tough in hockey. You get one, and it becomes a bit like, “oh damn.” We were able to keep the pressure on from there, and there were a few really good chances even before Miro’s goal. Yes, it makes it easier, especially after the second period, Rantanen said.

Rantanen knows Lehkonen from their time in Turku and with the Colorado Avalanche. Although Lehkonen is not a special goal scorer, he has scored big goals earlier in his career. Rantanen also gave a little jab about Lehkonen’s equipment.

– A cold-blooded guy, doesn’t get rattled much as we know. Scored the winning goal in Stanley Cup Game Six and today scored the winning goal. Doesn’t get nervous with Sherwood’s stick in hand, Rantanen said.

– It’s great to watch; he also does a lot of other important things. Not just scoring goals, but he’s good at forechecking and defending as well.

At the moment when Lehkonen got a breakaway in overtime, Rantanen had already started to think about where the guy would shoot.

– Well, Arsi has scored quite a few from the slot. There was a smaller goalie, so I hoped Arsi would shoot high. Luckily, he did.

And one more special thing for a light-hearted ending. When arriving at the interview point, Rasmus Ristolainen suggested asking what brand of air conditioner is in the boys’ room. So, we ended up asking Rantanen about the air conditioner.

– Ristolainen messes with those buttons so much. I don’t even know what it… I don’t even look that way anymore.

Jaakko Perttilä
X: @JaakkoPerttila

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