Pekka Rinne was astonished by the NHL star's actions at the Olympics - "Incomprehensible"

The Swedish goalkeeper Filip Gustavsson‘s mistake in the opening game of the ice hockey tournament at the Milano-Cortina Olympics against Italy sparked strong criticism

Finnish goaltending legend Pekka Rinne gave sharp feedback in the HBO studio.

– In the home audience, all goalies, never stop a long puck like that with the wide blade of the stick. Put one knee on the ice or go to the V, receive the puck with the blade of the stick and the glove behind the stick – that way the reception softens. After that, play the puck to your own defenseman. An incomprehensible mistake from an experienced NHL goalie, Rinne stated.

The situation occurred in the early minutes of the match when Italy’s Luca Frigo managed to get past Gustavsson. The Swedish goalie lost his stick while trying to clear the puck, and Frigo was able to score an easy goal.

Former top Swedish goalie Henrik Lundqvist also commented on the situation in the TV4 studio:

– I have seen many goalies do this: they put too much weight on the stick when trying to control the puck. I have never liked that. The puck just bounces away from him. It’s a puck that just needs to be controlled, put against the boards, or passed away.

Although the mistake led to the opening goal, Sweden managed to turn the game in their favor. Gustavsson made only nine saves in the match, and the final score was recorded as 5–2 for Sweden.

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NHL | 29.10.2026 18:27