2026 World Juniors: Top standouts from Finland vs. Sweden semifinal game

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sweden is off to the gold medal game at the 2026 World Junior Championship after beating Finland 4-3 in overtime.

With the win, Sweden will look to secure gold for the first time since 2012, and just the third time in team history. The Finns, meanwhile, will look to increase their medal streak to two consecutive years after taking silver in Ottawa last year.

After scoring 10 seconds into their game against Latvia, the Swedes slacked by requiring 36 seconds to break free this year. It was a bit of a fluke goal, as Linus Eriksson’s shot hit off Petteri Rimpinen’s glove and in – although it looked like the puck would have missed the net had Rimpinen not touched it.

The Finns answered back at 16:26. Atte Joki would score on a perfectly placed shot following a feed from Aron Kiviharju, beating Love Harenstam glove side to make it 1-1. The second period featured some back-and-forth hockey action, with Ivar Stenberg and Eddie Genborg tallying goals for the Swedes, and Jasper Kuhta getting one for the Finns.

The third period was the most intense of the bunch, but it remained scoreless until 54:01. Just like they did two nights early, the Finns got a late goal from Joonas Saarelainen to make it 3-3, forcing the first semifinal to go to overtime.

The extra frame was wild, with Viggo Bjorck generating an incredible four breakaway chances. Nothing panned out, meaning the team moving on would be decided by a shootout. It took eight rounds, but Chicago Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell scored the game-winner to send Sweden off to the final.

Here’s a look at the top standouts from the first semifinal:

Finland

#6 Juho Piiparinen, D (2026 NHL Draft): Piiparinen didn’t get a ton of minutes, but I noticed him every time he hit the ice. He played with so much energy and pace, landing a few big hits and showing some puckhandling prowess. I haven’t liked much out of his tournament but it felt like Piiparinen was quite engaged and made some excellent decisions every time he hit the ice.

#33 Aron Kiviharju, D (Minnesota Wild): Kiviharju had another strong distribution game, which resulted in an assist on the 1-1 goal. The Finns relied on him heavily to eat minutes and play all different situations, including the penalty kill. In terms of pure, natural skill, Kiviharju is Finland’s best defenseman – and it showed in spades today.

#28 Heikki Ruohonen, C (Philadelphia Flyers): That was another tremendous effort from Ruohonen. He had a couple of decent chances, but, as always, I love how he retrieves pucks, but he also got involved physically in the closing stages as the Swedes tried to press back late in the third. I’m not sure Ruohonen has had an off game at this tournament.

#29 Jasper Kuhta, C: Kuhta was big early in the tournament and then slowed down a bit. But I really liked him today. He scored a bit of a fluky goal, but his play away from the puck, especially his puck retrievals, was better than anyone else in Finland’s bottom six. I think Kuhta has done enough over the past 11 days or so to earn himself a call from an NHL team next June.

#35 Atte Joki, RW (Dallas Stars): Joki can’t skate, but, man, he puts in an effort. He scored off a beautiful wrist shot late in the first period, and then he spent the rest of the game hitting guys and separating opponents from pucks. He’s a simple player who should be able to build a career off his work ethic, but that goal – his first of the tournament – had to feel good for his confidence, given he played his best hockey after that.

Sweden

#4 Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D (San Jose Sharks): Sahlin Wallenius played nearly half of the first 40 minutes today – absolutely incredible. He continuously shut down Finland’s top players in tight, only if he wasn’t able to keep them to the perimeter. Sahlin Wallenius hasn’t done enough to earn himself top defenseman honors, but he absolutely has been one of Sweden’s best players, with his two-way, minute-munching style paying dividends.

#14 Linus Eriksson, C (Florida Panthers): Eriksson was near perfect in the faceoff dot, and his two-way game was superb. He might not be the most ideal No. 1 center, but his playing style fits the top line perfectly because he lets his wingers get into scoring areas while he takes away space defensively. Eriksson scored the opening goal, and while it wasn’t pretty, he’ll take it.

#15 Ivar Stenberg, RW (2026 NHL Draft): Stenberg was everywhere today. He scored off a beautiful shot at 21:20 and then set up Genborg near the goal line for the 3-2 goal. His energy, quick shot and momentum-shifting playstyle allowed the Swedes to control the puck for the majority of the time he was on the ice. Stenberg was quieter than Viggo Bjorck early in the tournament, but he has been one of Sweden’s top players the past three games.

#25 Eddie Genborg, RW (Detroit Red Wings): Genborg has had a strong tournament, but today’s effort felt like his best. He scored a weird goal from behind the net, but his pass to Stenberg on his goal was beautiful. Genborg also landed a couple of huge hits for good measure. His ability to open up lanes for his linemates at this tournament is a big reason why the second line has been so dangerous.

#26 Jack Berglund, C (Philadelphia Flyers): Berglund’s play away from the puck was masterful today. Nothing was better than what he showed in overtime, though, where he continued to poke pucks away on the penalty kill. His huge frame makes him tough to contain and while he’s not fast, he puts in the work to get into scoring lanes.