MILAN, Italy – In a stunning turn of events at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on , Slovakia clinched the top spot in Group B at the Winter Olympics despite a 5-3 loss to Sweden. The improbable victory wasn’t secured on the ice, but through a combination of their own late-game resilience and a dominant performance by Finland, who defeated Italy 10-0.
The game itself was a hard-fought contest. Sweden’s Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the goal that ultimately proved to be the game-winner in the third period. Joel Eriksson Ek and Adrian Kempe also found the back of the net for the Swedes, with Lucas Raymond adding an assist. Jacob Markstrom, in his Olympic debut, recorded 29 saves for Sweden.
Slovakia, however, refused to go quietly. Juraj Slafkovsky continued his impressive Olympic form, scoring his third goal of the tournament and adding an assist. Martin Gernat also scored for the Slovaks, while Dalibor Dvorsky’s power-play goal with just one second remaining in the game proved to be pivotal. Slovak goaltender Samuel Hlavaj faced a barrage of shots, stopping 46 of 51.
“We knew what we had to do, and we scored that last goal,” said Slovak assistant captain Martin Fehervary, reflecting the team’s focus despite the loss. “So that’s why we’re really, really excited. That extra day off, I think everyone’s gonna take it.”
The initial outcome of the Sweden-Slovakia game briefly saw Sweden take the lead in Group B, as a head-to-head result breaks ties when only two teams are level on points. However, Finland’s decisive 10-0 victory over Italy dramatically altered the landscape. With Finland joining Sweden and Slovakia on six points, the tiebreaker shifted to goal differential among the three teams.
Slovakia emerged victorious in this complex calculation. They had earned three points in their head-to-head matchups against Sweden and Finland, having defeated Finland 4-1 and losing to Sweden 5-3. Sweden also accumulated three points from their games against Finland and Slovakia. Finland, too, secured three points through their wins against both opponents.
The deciding factor then came down to goal differential in those two games. Finland’s goal differential was even. Sweden finished at minus-one. Slovakia, crucially, posted a plus-one goal differential. This narrow margin secured Slovakia the top spot in Group B and a coveted bye directly to the quarterfinals.
“Whether we go [straight through] to the quarters or not, it doesn’t really matter,” Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman commented after the game, acknowledging the shifting dynamics of the tournament. “We’ve got to win out here. So now the fun starts.”
The result is particularly noteworthy for Juraj Slafkovsky, who now boasts 10 goals in 10 Olympic games. This achievement places him among an elite group of players, becoming the fourth player on the men’s side to reach this milestone before the age of 22, and the first since Bruce Mather in 1948. He also joins Marian Hossa, Pavol Demitra, and Marian Gaborik as one of only four Slovakian players to record at least five points in the preliminary round of the Winter Olympics.
The unexpected outcome has been described by some as “the best loss of my life,” highlighting the unique pressures and strategic calculations inherent in Olympic hockey. The Slovaks’ ability to secure qualification despite the defeat underscores the importance of every goal scored and the unpredictable nature of the tournament.
Slovakia’s journey continues in the quarterfinals, where they will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent. Sweden, meanwhile, will have to navigate a qualifying round to reach the same stage. Finland’s strong performance positions them as a strong contender as well, setting the stage for a thrilling knockout phase of the Olympic men’s hockey tournament.
The Swedes pulled their goalie in the final moments, desperately seeking an equalizer, but Slovakia held firm, demonstrating a defensive resolve that ultimately proved as valuable as their offensive contributions. The combination of skillful play, strategic awareness, and a little help from Finland has propelled Slovakia to the top of Group B, making them a team to watch as the Olympic tournament progresses.
