Florida Panthers Finnish Trio Captures a Bronze in Milan in a rout on Saturday.
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Joshua Deeds
Feb 21, 2026 (5:22 PM)
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Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Anton Lundell, Niko Mikkola, and Eetu Luostarinen are coming back to South Florida with some extra hardware after Finland dismantled Slovakia 6-1 to secure Olympic bronze.
Paul Maurice and the Panthers organization were quick to celebrate their stars, who helped the Finns secure a fourth consecutive medal in tournaments featuring NHL players.
The victory in Milan was a masterclass in efficient defensive structure and clinical finishing, especially during a dominant four-goal third period that broke the game wide open.
Anton Lundell continued his solid execution throughout the tournament, providing the steady two-way presence that has made him a staple in the Florida middle-six.
Defenseman Niko Mikkola was a force on the blue line, finishing the tournament with a +9 rating, a mark that tied for the team lead.
Eetu Luostarinen also proved his value as a transition game specialist, combining with his Florida teammates for nine points over the six-game Olympic stretch.
The chemistry between the three was evident, particularly during controlled entries where their familiarity from the sunrise roster translated into high-end offensive output.
A Historic Medal Haul in Sunrise
With this victory, the Panthers now boast a franchise-record 10 players who represented their nations at these Games, including seven who reached the medal rounds.
Lundell, Luostarinen, and Mikkola become the seventh, eighth, and ninth players in club history to medal while on the active roster.
It is a significant moment for the locker room, which has become a primary hub for elite Finnish talent over the last few seasons.
The organization officially congratulated the trio on social media, noting the pride of bringing bronze back to the fans in South Florida.
While they missed out on the gold medal game after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Canada, the bounce-back performance against Slovakia showed championship pedigree.
The focus now shifts back to the NHL schedule, where these decorated "Finnish Cats" will look to carry this international momentum into a deep playoff run.
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