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Video: Finland’s Mikael Granlund scores the goal of the year vs. Russia

2010 NHL Draft Portraits

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 25: Mikael Granlund, drafted eighth overall by the Minnesota Wild, poses for a portrait during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center on June 25, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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While Finland was busy upsetting Russia today at the World Championships 3-0 to book a date in the gold medal game against rival Sweden, we got a glimpse of what the future might be like for the Minnesota Wild thanks to their 2010 first round pick Mikael Granlund.

During the second period with the game locked in a scoreless tie, Granlund carried the puck around the Russian net while being chased down by the defense. With the Russian defense unable to keep up with him, Granlund did something we haven’t seen in some time. He picked the puck up on his stick and scored a stunning lacrosse-style goal to beat and embarrass Konstantin Barulin and the Russians.

The last time we saw something like this was 1996 in the NCAA Tournament when the University of Michigan’s Mike Legg beat the University of Minnesota with a similar goal. Sidney Crosby too has pulled the trick off in the past. For now though, it’s Granlund’s moment to shine. We’re pretty sure fans in Minnesota might pass out from the excitement of seeing an actually talented offensive skill player doing crazy things like this. It’s been a few years since they’ve seen that.