Detroit Red Wings: Finland takes home Gold Medal

For three Detroit Red Wings, it was a chance for gold.  For just the second time since 2011, Finland beats Canada 3-1 to become the 2019 IIHF World Champions in Bratislava, Slovakia. Finland now has three gold medals. 

Perhaps one of the most inexperienced teams in the entire 2019 IIHF Wolrd Championship, Finland found a way to get it done fending off a pair of Detroit Red Wings stars in Tyler Bertuzzi & Anthony Mantha. Fueled by Finnish top-prospect, and a legitimate threat to be selected first overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Kaapo Kakko, Finland won in the same place as they last did in 2011, Bratislava, Slovakia.

Despite having 6 goals in 10 games played, Kakko was half without a point in the Gold medal game. Instead, it was Finland’s 33-year-old captain, Marko Anttila with a 2-goal game. Though not a significant contributor for Team Finland at the 2019 IIHF Tournament, newly signed Detroit Red Wing Oliwer Kaski, will now be a gold medal winner.

Remarkably, Finland had one of the toughest routes to become the champions. Finland had to go through Sweden and Russia to play Canada in the Gold medal game. No easy matchups there. What makes Team Finland even more special is the fact they had very little to no NHL experienced players. Team Canada had a full roster of all NHL talent. Crazy right? To put Canada’s dominance into perspective, they were going for their 27th IIHF World Championship, Finland won their third.

In the all divisive Gold Medal game, it was Detroit Red Wing Anthony Mantha that managed to pick up yet another point, in which he assisted on the game’s first goal by Vegas Golden Knight, defenseman Shea Theodore. In a tournament he has stood out in, Mantha has exceeded expectations, Mantha became one of the biggest goal-scorers in the entire tournament altogether, finishing in a five-way tie for second place with 7 goals, in only nine games played.

Starting off on the team’s third line, Mantha quickly developed chemistry with Nashville Predators center, Kyle Turris. The two dominated throughout the entire tournament right up until the gold medal game against Finland. Mantha was able to only be behind teammate Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights) who led the entire tournament with 10 goals. It shall be worth noting the fact that Mantha was also suspended for one game due to a hit against Team USA.

Alongside Anthony Mantha on Team Canada was left-wing Tyler Bertuzzi. Unfortunately for Bertuzzi, he never has the chance to showcase his talents throughout the tournament. Playing in 5 games for Canada, Bertuzzi finished with no points, while Mantha was relied upon to provide offense. To make matters even worse for Bertuzzi, he was not dressed to play in the Gold medal game against Finland. Expect “Bert” to be ready for the start of training camp and build off a break-out season.

With the conclusion of the tournament and Team Finland winning Gold, one has to be extremely excited for what’s to come for the Detroit Red Wings. Whether it was Mantha’s dominance or Filip Hronek leading all defenseman in the tournament in points, (11 in 10 games) it certainly brings excitement for what is to come.

Detroit Red Wings management must be very pleased with the entity of the tournament showcasing all our team has to offer in rears to talent. Though we are not in the playoffs yet, the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final is upon us. For Detroit Red Wings fans, the real fun will begin June 21st; the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.