Finland beats Austria 8-4 after early deficit

Sochi, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - Mikael Granlund had two goals and one assist, Jarkko Immonen also scored twice and Finland overcame a slow start to double up Austria 8-4 Thursday at the Sochi Olympics.

New York Islanders forward Michael Grabner had a hat trick for Austria, the first goal coming on a one-timer from the right circle just 36 seconds into the game to surprise Finland.

Austria had two one-goal leads in the first period, but Finland scored five in a row to pull away in the Group B opener.

Sami Lepisto, Olli Maatta, Jussi Jokinen and Petri Kontiola also scored for Finland, which has won five Olympic medals in men's hockey, but never gold.

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask gave up four goals on 20 shots in the win.

Thomas Hundertpfund had the other Austria goal and Bernhard Starkbaum allowed all eight Finland goals on 52 shots.

Granlund tied the score for Finland at 5:15 of the first period on a wrister from the left circle that beat Starkbaum under his right arm.

Hundertpfund's wraparound goal went off an opponent's skate for a 2-1 Austria lead but was followed by three Finland goals, the last two in an eight-second span.

After Lepisto tied it on a one-timer from the slot at 11:23, Maatta made it 3-2 on a slapshot just inside the blue line at 19:25 and Immonen's rebound went in eight seconds later.

Jokinen scored 1:43 into the middle period and Kontiola found the net just over 10 minutes later, both on rebounds, to make it 6-2.

The last four goals came in the third period, along with 10 minutes in penalties as a couple of scrums broke out.

Finland gets Norway next and Austria plays Canada, both on Friday.