QUEBEC - Even when playing for a consolation prize, beating the Swedes is sweet for Finland.

Antti Pihlstrom and Janne Niskala staked Finland to an early lead and Niklas Backstrom made 36 saves for the shutout in a 4-0 victory over Sweden on Saturday to take the bronze medal at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.

"A medal is always a medal," said Finnish veteran Saku Koivu. "Obviously, you'd like to be in the final, but we had a lot of people back home watching the game.

"It's a big tournament for Europeans countries. And playing against the Swedes - we don't want to lose to them. Now we got the bronze, people back home are happy and we can have a bit more fun with this."

Pihlstrom, a Nashville Predators prospect, added his second of the game and fifth of the tournament in the third period and Saku's younger brother Mikko Koivu had an