Rantanen Gets Revenge on Red Wings Lidstrom

It’s hard to imagine anyone holding a grudge against Detroit Red Wings icon Nicklas Lidstrom. If you’ve ever had the pleasure to meet the man his teammates called the Perfect Human, you’d understand why.

Lidstrom couldn’t be a nicer person. He has time to chat and a warm smile for everyone he meets.

For nine-year-old Mikko Rantanen, Lidstrom was a heartbreaker. Someone who brought him to tears.

It was Lidstrom’s third-period goal that gave Sweden a 2-1 win over Finland in the gold-medal game at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Back home in Finland, a young Rantanen was devastated.

Red Wings Lidstrom Broke Rantanen’s Heart

“I remember being at home watching the game,” Rantanen remembered to Swedish website Sportbladet. “It was an even game that Finland led at first and I remember (Nicklas) Lidstrom scored on the first substitution of the third period. It was the game-winning goal.

“I think I cried at home . . . It was emotional.”

Fast forward to 19 years later and Rantanen playing for Finland against Sweden on Saturday in a best-on-best competition for the first time in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

If indeed a dish best served gold, revenge was tasting very satisfying to Carolina Hurricanes forward Rantanen following Finland’s 4-3 overtime win over the Swedes.

MOOOOOSE!! 🫎

Mikko Rantanen puts Finland ahead in the final moments of the first period! #4Nations

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“I hope they are as happy as we are in the locker room,” Rantanen said of his homeland. “I definitely think the Finns are.”

Rantanen tallied a power-play goal in the victory. Former Red Wings defenseman Olli Maatta drew an assist for the Finns. Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond also dished out an assist for Sweden. It was his third point of the tournament.

While not mathematically eliminated from reaching the tournament final, Sweden must beat the USA at Boston on Monday in order to try and stay alive.

Even Lidstrom had to admit that things are looking bleak for the Swedes.

“They are slightly below the USA and Canada in terms of the superstars they have,” Lidstrom told Sportbladet of the Swedish squad.