Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Some tough news for one member of the Buffalo Sabres, just days before they were set to take part in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
After sustaining a lower-body injury early in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs back on Jan. 27, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will not be able to play for Finland in the Winter Olympic Games, with the men's ice hockey tournament starting on Feb. 11.
Luukkonen has played well for the Sabres in 21 games this season, going 11-7-2 with a 2.73 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. He has been in a constant goalie rotation along with Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis.
It was possible Luukkonen was set to see some game action at the Olympics, likely serving as the backup to Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros. Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver Canucks) was the third goaltender in the rotation for the Finns.
Luukkonen was set to be one of three Sabres representatives in the Olympic Games this year, joining forward Tage Thompson (United States) and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (Sweden).
Team Finland has already announced Boston Burins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo as Luukkonen's replacement for the tournament.
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