Tampere crowd gives huge ovations for trio of Finns; Laine and Rantanen score in home country

The National Hockey League's Global Series returned to Finland for the first time since 2018 when the Winnipeg Jets and Florida Panthers played a pair of games in Helsinki.

On Friday, the Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets faced off in Tampere for the first of two games in two days and a trio of Finns, Patrik Laine, Artturi Lehkonen and Mikko Rantanen were given loud ovations during the announcement of the starting line-up.

It's #NHLGlobalSeries time! 🇫🇮

Huge ovations for Finnish players Patrik Laine, Artturi Lehkonen, and Mikko Rantanen during player intros. 👏 pic.twitter.com/HjyTUqxQOz� Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 4, 2022

The Avalanche went up 3-0 early in the second period, courtesy of Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen used his patience and outwaited Elvis Merzlikins, scoring from a tight angle, down low.

WHAT A FINNISH!!!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/evW2UZxPeY� Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 4, 2022

Then the Columbus Blue Jackets began their comeback. Patrik Laine collected an assist on the first Blue Jackets' goal, but then he found the back of the net on their second tally of the game. Laine received a pass from Johnny Gaudreau, then skated in and ripped a shot five-hole on Alexandar Georgiev.

🇫🇮 THE HOMETOWN BOY 🇫🇮@PatrikLaine29 brings the Blue Jackets within one! #NHLGlobalSeries pic.twitter.com/uEr2AJXBt2� Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 4, 2022

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