Until the semi-finals: Sweden eliminates the Finns on a late Stjernborg short-handed goal
Victor Stjernborg scored a short-handed goal with 65 seconds remaining and Sweden defeated rival Finland 3-2 in the quarterfinals on Monday at the world junior hockey championship in Moncton, NB
Finland took a 2-1 lead into the third period when Niko Huuhtanen scored just over four minutes into the final frame.
Sweden pushed for an equalizer and equalized when Leo Carlsson scored his second of the game with less than four minutes remaining.
Finland had an opportunity to regain the lead when Sweden’s Fabian Lysell was penalized for high-sticking with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. But instead Stjernborg won the puck at center after a Swedish clear, then he went in alone and beat Finnish goalkeeper Jani Lampinen for the winning goal.
In Wednesday’s semi-final, Sweden faces the winner of a quarter-final between the Czech Republic and Switzerland.
In Monday’s second quarter-final, the USA will face Germany and defending champion Canada will face Slovakia.
Meanwhile, Latvia defeated Austria 5-2 in the opening game of a best-of-three relegation series.
Latvia is trying to stay relevant
Emils Veckaktins scored twice and Bogdans Hodass had a goal and two assists as Latvia took a step towards remaining among the top junior teams in the world.
Dans Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis also scored for Latvia, who beat Austria 46-13.
Luca Auer and Vinzenz Rohrer scored for Austria.
The teams meet again on Wednesday. The winner of the regulation series will appear at next year’s World Juniors in Gothenburg, while the loser will be relegated to Division I Group A.