Finland take Olympic ice hockey bronze as Jokinen downs Slovakia

From Sportsbeat staff, in Vancouver

 OLLI Jokinen's double completed an unlikely comeback and spare Finland's blushes as the 2006 silver medallists settled for bronze in Vancouver.

DOUBLING UP: Two late goals from Olli Jokinen are enough to hand Finland bronze and see off a plucky Slovakia side (Getty Images)

Finland found themselves 3-1 down to Slovakia, the surprise package of the tournament so far, with just one period remaining, but three quick-fire goals from the Scandinavians and one at the death was enough to turn the match around and secure a 5-3 win.

The bronze medal match appeared to be going with the form book when Sami Salo fired Finland ahead - much to the delight of Canada Hockey Place as the Finn plies his trade for the Vancouver Canucks.

Finland were coasting at 1-0 up but Slovakia, in their late comeback against Canada on Friday, proved they should not be taken lightly and the world number nines came roaring back.

Marian Gaborik of the New York Rangers levelled things up midway through the second period as the moment swung in favour of Slovakia.

Finland were shocked and found themselves 2-1 down just six minutes later when Marin Hossa slammed the puck past Miikka Kiprusoff and just over a minute before the end of the second period it got even better for Slovakia.

Pavol Demitra, another Vancouver Canuck, missed a glorious chance to level against Canada in the dying stages of the semi final as Slovakia had the hosts on the ropes in the closing stages but he made amends to put his side 3-1 up.

At 3-2 down against Canada and just a yard away from goal, Demitra missed the target but this time he made no mistake and fired home with Slovakia short-handed.

The Finns roared back however and were right back in it when Niklas Hagman of the Calgary Flames got the slightest of touches on the puck to divert it past Jaroslav Halak.

And the scores were level again when Jokinen netted his first just 90 seconds later.

Whereas as it was Canada at panic stations 24 hours previously, this time in was Slovakia and Jokinen completed the turn around with his second of the match but there were a nervous few minutes for the Finns.

Slovakia bombarded the Finland goal but Kiprusoff stayed firm in between the pipes before Valtteri Filppula scored into the empty net at the death with Halak pulled. to ensure Finland's fourth Olympic medal from the last five Winter Games.

 AS IT HAPPENS: Day 16 of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver