Slafkovsky scores twice, Slovakia defeats Finland in Group B opener

It was good on Wednesday. Slafkovsky was a reason for the brilliance and a key cog in the ability of Slovakia (1-0-0-0) to defeat Finland for the first time in four Olympic meetings.

Eeli Tolvanen scored for Finland (0-0-1-0), and Juuse Saros made 21 saves.

Slafkovsky, a forward for the Montreal Canadiens, scored the opening goal of the game, turning a turnover by Finland defenseman Mikko Lehtonen into a brilliant solo effort, curling around Saros and tucking the puck into the unguarded net at 7:45 of the first period.

After Dalibor Dvorsky made it 2-1 early in the third period, Slafkovsky gave the Slovaks some breathing room with his power-play goal at 10:30. He assisted on the empty-net goal by Adam Ruzicka at 17:39 that made it 4-1.

“I don’t believe [I would score twice], but I am happy that it is like this and I am able to help my country and help my friends out there that are trying to win the game,” Slafkovsky said.

The two-goal performance came after Slafkovsky scored seven goals in seven games at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when Slovakia won the bronze medal.

He was named MVP of the tournament and was then selected with the No. 1 pick by the Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Draft four months later.

Slafkovsky has nine goals in eight Olympic games. Slovakia faces Team Italy at Rho Arena on Friday (6:10 a.m. ET; Peacock, ICI Télé, CBC Gem, SN).

“I wish I could have two goals every game, but sometimes it is not going to happen,” he said. “I was in a good spot at a good time, and I was shooting the puck.

“It’s a great feeling. It gives a huge confidence boost, but we have to rest and do it again on Friday. But it for sure feels nice.”