December 29, 2024

Finland stuns Sweden in world junior hockey quarterfinals

Finland #Finland

Sweden's goalie Hugo Alnefelt (30) is scored on by Finland's Roni Hirvonen (22) during the third period of an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by Associated Press Sweden’s goalie Hugo Alnefelt (30) is scored on by Finland’s Roni Hirvonen (22) during the third period of an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Roni Hirvonen jammed in a wraparound with 25 seconds left to give Finland a 3-2 victory over Sweden on Saturday in the world junior championship quarterfinals.

Finland celebrates the win over Sweden after an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by Associated Press Finland celebrates the win over Sweden after an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Finland overcame a 2-0 deficit, tying it on Anton Lundell’s power-play goal with 8:56 left. Henri Nikkanen scored for Finland in the second period, and Kari Piiroinen made 22 saves.

Finland celebrates the win over Sweden after an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by Associated Press Finland celebrates the win over Sweden after an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Lucas Raymond and Elmer Soderblom had first-period goals for Sweden.

Sweden's Albin Sundsvik (29) looks on as Finland celebrates a goal during the third period of an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by Associated Press Sweden’s Albin Sundsvik (29) looks on as Finland celebrates a goal during the third period of an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Finland won the last of its five titles in 2019.

Sweden's Noel Gunler (28) reacts after the loss to Finland after an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by Associated Press Sweden’s Noel Gunler (28) reacts after the loss to Finland after an IIHL World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

In the first quarterfinal, Vasili Ponomaryov and Danil Bashkirov scored and Yaroslav Askarov made 18 saves in Russia’s 21 victory ovber Germany. Florian Elias scored for Germany.

Russia players celebrates the win over Germany during an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by Associated Press Russia players celebrates the win over Germany during an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Later, Canada faced the Czech Republic, and the United States met Slovakia.

Russia forward Vasili Ponomaryov (13) scores on Germany goalie Florian Bugl (29) as defenseman Simon Gnyp (3) defends during the first period of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) © Provided by Associated Press Russia forward Vasili Ponomaryov (13) scores on Germany goalie Florian Bugl (29) as defenseman Simon Gnyp (3) defends during the first period of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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