Backstrom shines for Finns in bronze medal game at Worlds

Posted: Sat May 17 5:36 PM

Quebec City, QC (Sports Network) - Niklas Backstrom made 36 saves as Finland took the bronze medal with a 4-0 win over rival Sweden at the 2008 World Championship.

Antti Pihlstrom scored twice while Janne Niskala and Mikko Koivu scored once each for the Finns, who won despite only putting 12 shots on net. Finland took home a medal in the tournament for the third consecutive season, after a silver in 2007 and bronze in 2006.

Stefan Liv allowed three goals for the Swedes, who had bested their neighbors in the bronze medal game back in 2002.

Pihlstrom and Niskala lit the lamp within a 2:13 span in the first period and the Finns guarded the lead against a potent Swedish attack until the third.

Pihlstrom tallied 2:18 into the period and Koivu added an empty-netter with 2:25 remaining to seal the victory.

There is one more game left on the schedule, as Canada will square off against Russia in the gold medal game on Sunday.