Finland Hockey Hero Mikael Granlund Honored With Postage Stamp of Lacrosse-Style Goal

Mikael Granlund literally put his stamp on the 2011 IIHF World Hockey Championship this month.

Granlund, one of the Minnesota Wild’s most promising prospects, scored a beautiful lacrosse-style goal during Finland’s 3-0 semifinal victory against Russia. While skating behind the net, Granlund scooped up the puck with the blade of his stick and shoveled it into the top corner of the net over the right shoulder of Russian goalie Konstantin Barulin. It gave Finland a 1-0 lead.

Finland then beat Sweden 6-1 in the championship game to win the gold medal.

Because of Granlund’s heroics, he has been honored with a postage stamp in his home country. The stamps were so popular that they have temporarily sold out.

See the stamp below, courtesy of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blog.

You can also see Granlund’s memorable goal in the video below.