Watch 2010 Winter Olympics: FINLAND vs SLOVAKIA Ice Hockey Bronze Medal Game (Live Video Stream)

The FINLAND vs SLOVAKIA 2010 Olympic Hockey Bronze Medal game is scheduled on Saturday February 27, 2010 at around 7:00 PM PST at the Canada Hockey Place, UBC Thunderbird Arena.

FINLAND vs SLOVAKIA Hockey Game Preview

Finland and Slovakia have enjoyed impressive runs during the Olympics. Only one, however, will leave with a medal when they meet for the bronze on Saturday night.

The Finns’ hopes of returning to the championship game ended in jaw-dropping fashion Friday with a 6-1 semifinal loss to the United States.

Selanne, a star with the Anaheim Ducks, will be wrapping up his fifth and last Olympics. After becoming the all-time leading scorer in the modern era of the games while in Vancouver, the 39-year-old hopes to go out with his third medal since NHL players were allowed to participate starting in 1998.

“There’s bronze on the line,” Selanne told the International Ice Hockey Federation’s official Web site. “It’s all about bouncing back and trying to take what’s left.”

Finland, which lost 3-2 to Nordic rival Sweden in the championship game four years ago in Turin, has two silvers and two bronzes in men’s hockey.

“A bronze medal from this kind of tournament is huge. We have to remind ourselves it’s not over yet,” Selanne added.

Though coming off a nail-biting 3-2 loss to Canada in Friday’s other semifinal, Slovakia has already assured itself of its highest finish in Olympic play since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993.

The Slovaks’ showing in British Columbia has included upset wins over Russia – a gold medal favorite coming in – and Sweden, a traditional power on the international stage. They nearly made it three straight Friday as Lubomir Visnovsky of the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings’ Michal Handzus scored in the third period against Canada’s Roberto Luongo to make it a one-goal game.

With Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak pulled late for an extra attacker, Pavol Demitra was unable to beat his Vancouver Canucks teammate with what would have been the tying goal with about five seconds to play.

“We still have a great chance (Saturday),” Hossa said. “We just have to regroup because today was a really tough game. It would be a dream come true if we got third place.”. (Source)

UPDATE: Finland routs Slovakia 5-3 to win 2010 Winter Olympics Men’s Ice Hockey Bronze Medal.

Game Recap

Finland has won the bronze medal in hockey, rallying from a late two-goal deficit for a 5-3 victory over Slovakia.

Olli Jokinen scored the tying and go-ahead goals during the dynamic third-period comeback by Finland, the only team to win four medals in the past five Olympic tournaments.

Finland’s Jere Lehtinen, Ville Peltonen and captain Saku Koivu all won their fourth medals, equaling an Olympic record shared with three players.

Teemu Selanne didn’t score in what was likely the final game for the Olympics’ career scoring leader.

Pavol Demitra had a goal and two assists for the Slovaks, who couldn’t win their nation’s first medals in a team sport. Slovakia still had its best Olympic finish in fourth place.