Tuukka Rask was a bit shaky in his Olympic debut for Team Finland, allowing four goals in an 8-4 win over Austria on Thursday.
The Boston Bruins goaltender won’t get a chance to redeem himself Friday, as he’ll be watching Finland’s second game from the press box.
Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada reported Friday morning that Dallas Stars netminder Kari Lehtonen will get the start for the Finns against Norway, with Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks serving as backup.
Olympic teams are allowed to dress only two goalies per game, leaving Rask as the odd man out.
Rask’s opening-game struggles likely factored into the decision, but Finland — which boasts the deepest group of goaltenders in Sochi — might just want to give one of its other goalies a chance in what should be a winnable game.
Norway gave Canada more than it bargained for in its opener Thursday, though, making the defending gold medalists fight hard for a 3-1 win.
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