Finnish Stars Aim to Recapture World Junior Glory at 4 Nations Face-Off

BROSSARD, Quebec — Finland is tapping into its storied past at the 4 Nations Face-Off, seeking to replicate the chemistry that led to its gold medal at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Finnish team, featuring former junior linemates Sebastian Aho and Patrik Laine, will kick off the tournament against the United States at Bell Centre in Montreal on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

“I hope so. And I do think so,” Aho said when discussing the old chemistry with Laine. “Once you have it, you always kind of know how the other guy thinks and how he likes to play. It’s [nine] years ago now, so we still need a lot of talking, a couple practices here and just try to recreate that chemistry.”

At the 2016 World Juniors, Aho accumulated 14 points (five goals, nine assists), while Laine posted 13 points, leading the tournament with seven goals alongside U.S. star Auston Matthews. Both Aho and Laine contributed to Finland’s dramatic 4-3 overtime victory against Russia in the gold medal match.

Finnish head coach Antti Pennanen is optimistic about the combination of Aho, Laine, and Dallas Stars winger Roope Hintz, who aims to bring a fresh spark to the line. Aho notes the importance of reviving their earlier connection, enhanced by the infusion of the speedy Hintz. “It’s going to be a good combination for us,” Pennanen said.

Laine, who has faced struggles this season with the Montreal Canadiens, is confident that this reconfigured trio can replicate their past success on the ice. “Good players find a way to play with each other,” Laine commented. “I don’t think it’s going to be an issue at all.” He infamously scored eight goals in his first nine games of the season, but his recent performance has been marred by a scoring drought.

Additionally, Laine has a history of success while representing Finland, being named the most valuable player at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and showcasing his skills at the World Cup of Hockey later that year.

The upcoming matches from February 12-20 in Montreal and Boston will see Finland face off against Canada, Sweden, and the U.S., all of which will test their depth amidst injuries. Notably, Finland will be without star defenseman Miro Heiskanen and crucial forwards due to injuries, heightening reliance on their offense.

Despite the challenges, veterans like Aho and Laine are drawing from past experiences, reaffirming their confidence in the Finnish style of play. “We try to be a very tight-knit group, hard-working guys and commit to the game plan,” Aho stated. Finland hopes that their commitment to teamwork can force rivals to respect their ability on the ice, even as underdogs.

As the opening face-off approaches, Aho, Laine, and Hintz are prepping to showcase their renewed chemistry and provide Finland with a solid chance in a tournament stacked with hockey powerhouses.