Suomalaiset Kanadalaisten silmin

TORONTO (CP) - A report card look at Team Finland after its 3-2 loss to Canada in the World Cup of Hockey championship game Tuesday:


Forwards

Tuomo Ruutu, A-plus: What a player. Hits, scores, etc. Evaded three checkers to beat Marty Brodeur and tie it 2-2 with one minute left in second period.

Riku Hahl, A: Deflected puck to tie it 1-1 in game's seventh minute; intercepted pass to help defuse first power play of game in 17th minute.


Jere Lehtinen, B: Coralled by Shane Doan's checking most of the night but got into position for a good scoring chances in second and third periods.

Saku Koivu, B: Persistent forechecking a pain in the neck for Canada but checking of much bigger Joe Thornton ensured Finland's first-line centre did nothing offensively.

Olli Jokinen, B-minus: Terrible pass into middle of own zone nearly led to good Canadian scoring chance in second period. But at least he got off a few shots on Brodeur.

Niko Kapanen, B-minus: Got first good scoring chance for his team, robbed by Brodeur and hardly noticeable rest of way.

Mikko Eloranta, C-plus: Usually close to the action and displayed a ton of guts when, with seven minutes left, he outraced Robyn Regehr to nullify an icing call only to be smashed into the boards for his effort.

Ville Peltonen, C: Worked hard on second line with Tuomo Ruutu and Jokinen but didn't get a sniff at a scoring chance.

Niklas Hagman, C: Persistent but with little effect.

Jukka Hentunen, C-minus: Lightweight way too shy in corners.

Jarko Ruutu, C-minus: Obviously the second-best Ruutu brother.

Teemu Selanne, D: Retaliatory penalty against Kris Draper, who dogged him all night, gave Canada game's first power play. Giveaway in corner of own zone set up Shane Doan's goal for 3-2 Canada lead 34 seconds into third period.

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Defence

Teppo Numminen, A-minus: Veteran savvy and good positional play meant things were usually fine in Finland's end when he was on the ice.

Kimmo Timonen, A-minus: With Numminen, comprised team's most consistent defence pairing.

Aki Berg, B: Heavy hitter for 60 minutes. Brodeur blocked sizzling shot from point with 10 minutes left.

Ossi Vaananen, C: Unspectacular but steady, and effective clearing puck out of own zone.

Sami Salo, C-minus: Failure to clear puck out of own zone numerous times prolonged Canadian possession.

Toni Lydman, D: When he went way out of position to try to intercept Eric Brewer pass to Mario Lemieux, Lemieux set up Joe Sakic for first goal 58 seconds into game.

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Goal

Miikka Kiprusoff, A-minus: Made huge right foot save on Lemieux to keep Canada from taking early 2-0 lead in the opening minutes. After Finland tied it 1-1, made tremendous mitt save on Jarome Iginla shot in eighth minute. But he let in a softy in allowing Scott Niedermayer to put Canada up 2-1 at 3:15 of second period. Big saves late in game kept team in contention.