2025 World Junior Championship: Sweden vs. Finland Game Recap

Teams Finland and Sweden took each other on in the first semifinal game of the 2025 World Junior Championship.

Both teams entered the game off dominant runs through the beginning of the tournament, and both were fresh off of tight victories in their qualifying games. With Sweden and Finland being long-time rivals across sports, it was sure to be an exciting game in Ottawa.

The first period was off to a sleepy start– just 10 shots on goal for both teams and very few legitimate chances to find the back of the net. The second period was off to a much hotter start as Sweden’s Otto Stenberg opened up scoring just 90 seconds in. The St. Louis Blues prospect made a breakaway and fired a snipe past Finland’s goalie, firing up the Swedes and giving them some much-needed confidence.

After a controversial high-sticking call against Sweden, Finland went on the power play–and capitalized on it. Emil Hemming went bar down with just five seconds left in the power play, and the game was tied. The power play was again Finland’s strength, and the extra man allowed Jesse Kiiskinen to score in his fifth straight game and give Finland the lead. Sweden was not down a goal for too long, as an extremely lucky bounce off the glove of Finland’s Kalle Vaisanen knocked the puck into the net.

With the second period waning, Arttu Alasiurua brought the Finns back on top and slid the puck past Sweden’s netminder to give Finland the 3-2 lead heading into the locker room. Team Finland was fired up, as they were just 20 minutes away from the gold medal game, provided Sweden did not steal back the lead.

The third period began as an all-defensive effort, especially from Finland. Goaltender Rimpinen was a brick wall, and Finnish defenders blocked at least four shots from the Swedes themselves. The Finns killed a penalty and kept Sweden from finding the equalizer until Wilhelm Hallsquisth was able to wrist the puck through the five-hole and bring the game to an even 3-3 score.

The teams went to three-on-three overtime– crunch time with the next goal deciding who moves on to the gold-medal game. Finland’s penalty kill once again game in clutch, keeping Sweden from scoring in a critical moment. Finland was rewarded with a power play for the final 80 seconds of overtime, which they capitalized on. Benjamin Rautiainen ripped a no-look shot to the short-side corner under Melker Thelim’s leg, and Finland was off to the gold medal game.

Both teams battled hard, but Finland’s defensive efforts and penalty kill were their secret weapon. Finland will play the winner of Czechia vs. USA in the gold medal game on Sunday.