Kakko´s hat-trick leads Lions to score 2nd victory in a row

Published : 12 May 2019, 03:01

Updated : 13 May 2019, 01:55

DF Report

Juho Lammikko (front L) of Finland tackles Michal Kristof (R, front) of Slovakia during a group A game between Slovakia and Finland at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, at Steel Arena in Kosice, Slovakia, on May 11, 2019. Photo Xinhua.

Finland scored second consecutive victory in the Ice Hockey World Championship as they beat the host Slovakia by 4 goals to 2 at Steel Arena on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Kaapo Kakko, who scored two goals in the previous match against Canada on Friday again became the hero on Saturday when he scored three goals against Slovakia.

Slovakians, who already beat the USA in their opening match by 4-1 on Friday also made a good start against the Finns with Cernak Erik´s goal at eleventh minute in the match.

But Lindbohm Petteri of Finland equalized the score within next three minutes. Although the Finns took the lead within next two minutes by the goal of Kakko, Marincin Martin leveled the score at the 40^th minute of the match.

Kakko took the team ahead after scoring again at the 50^th minutes to ensure victory for the country.

Slovakian players became more attacking to came back and started to play with an extra forward player without goalkeeper, which created the hat-trick chance for Kakko in the world cup in the empty net resulting widening the goal difference.

Earlier, Finland beat title favorite Canada 3-1 in their ice hockey world championship opener in Kosice, Slovakia, on Friday.

Finland will face USA on Monday.