Saros stands tall as Canada’s 38-shot onslaught falls short in high-stakes Group A clash
Canada’s unbeaten run at the men’s Ice Hockey World Championship hit a wall Monday night as Finland clawed out a gritty 2-1 shootout win in Prague, handing the 28-time champions their first loss of the tournament.
The game had everything—physicality, nerves, near misses, and one goaltender who turned the ice into his personal stage. That man was Juuse Saros.
Canada dominated large stretches of play, firing 38 shots at the Finnish net. But Saros turned away all but one. And when it came to the shootout? Ice in his veins.
Shootout drama after regulation deadlock
It wasn’t just about the shots. It was about when they came and who stepped up.
Canada had their chances. Lots of them. But time and again, Saros had the answer. Still, they struck first—Ryan O’Reilly scoring shorthanded in the second period while Finland was on the power play. That goal should’ve tilted the game.
Didn’t.
Patrik Puistola tied it up in the third. That set the stage for overtime, which came and went without a winner. Then came the shootout.
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Kent Johnson was the lone Canadian to beat Saros in the skills contest.
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Puistola and Eeli Tolvanen both converted for Finland, sealing the upset.
Canada’s bench looked stunned. Not defeated, but rattled.
Playoff picture still wide open
Now the math kicks in. Canada can still top Group A, but it’s no longer in their hands alone. They’ll face Sweden on Tuesday in a matchup that suddenly matters a whole lot more.
Sweden, currently two points ahead, controls its own destiny. A regulation win, and they top the group. Canada needs a win of any kind to reclaim first place.
Meanwhile, Finland sits third, three points back of Canada. Their final game? A matchup against Slovakia, who’ve already been eliminated. It’s a chance to build momentum heading into the quarterfinals.
Latvia rounds out the top four for now, holding off Austria by two points. They’ll face each other in their last game—a de facto knockout match.
Saros turns steel under pressure
Let’s talk about Juuse Saros for a moment. He wasn’t just good. He was absurd. Calm, locked in, and laser-focused, he denied 37 of 38 shots across 65 minutes and didn’t flinch when the shootout came.
Some of Canada’s biggest names were left shaking their heads at the bench. Saros wasn’t flashy. He didn’t need to be. His reads were perfect. His positioning? Clinical.
That’s a goalie who doesn’t just stop pucks—he messes with minds.
One sentence: He played like his career depended on it.
And that’s why Finland—despite being third—are nobody’s underdog.
Canada’s goal scoring depth hits a wall
For all their shot volume, Canada lacked a finishing touch. Their stars—deep and talented—just couldn’t find the cracks. And when your only goal comes shorthanded? That’s telling.
Even on power plays, the rhythm seemed off. They had zone time. They had puck control. What they didn’t have was a breakthrough. And now, with Sweden looming, they’ll need to fix that—fast.
Numbers don’t lie. Canada’s path to the top is narrow—but not closed.
Group B picture tightens ahead of knockout rounds
Things are just as spicy in Group B. The Czech Republic, Switzerland, and the United States have punched their quarterfinal tickets. One spot remains.
And it’ll be settled on Tuesday when co-hosts Denmark face Germany. Both teams are locked at nine points. One moves on. The other goes home.
Germany has the better goal differential. Denmark has home ice. Flip a coin.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has quietly built momentum, not flashy but effective. Switzerland is flying under the radar. And the Czechs? They’ve got the crowd—and the belief.
One sentence: There’s no clear favorite, and that’s what makes it great.
Looking ahead: showdown in Stockholm
Tuesday’s match between Canada and Sweden could easily be a gold medal preview. It’s got everything—history, stakes, and now, tension.
Canada knows what’s at risk. A regulation win gets them top spot. Anything less, and they’ll head into the knockout round as second seed—maybe even third if Finland wins big.
Sweden hasn’t lost yet. Their form has been clinical. Structured, disciplined, opportunistic. If Canada couldn’t break down Saros, how will they handle the Tre Kronor’s layered defense?
