2025 World Juniors: Top standouts as Finland edges Slovakia

Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

A quick start helped Finland snag a 4-3 win over Slovakia to help them advance to the semifinals.

Finland scored on two of their three first shots of the game. It was Detroit Red Wings prospect Jesse Kiiskinen who scored first, then New York Islanders prospect Jesse Nurmi found the back of the net, and both Nurmi and Kiiskenen had assists on each other’s goals.

As the Finnish powerplay expired late in the first, prospect Kasper Halttunen ripped a one timer from Alex Ovechkin’s spot and into the back of the net to make it 3-0 on five shots. Slovakia then switched goaltenders, bringing Samuel Urban between the pipes.

The second period was back and forth, with many quality chances from both teams. Late in the second period, Slovak defenseman Luka Radivojevic was kneed by Finnish defender Emil Pieniniemi. Radivojevic was down and in severe discomfort before being helped off the ice without putting weight on his right knee.

Pieniniemi was handed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing. On the ensuing power play, Juraj Pekarcik scored to cut the lead to two, but Rasmus Kumpulainen would regain the three-goal advantage.

The Slovaks brought things close as the game started to close. Robert Fedor cut the lead to just two halfway through the third, and then Dvorsky cut the lead to just one. But Finland managed to hold until the final buzzer, booking their ticket to the semis.

Here’s a look at the top performers from Thursday’s action:

Finland

#24 Jesse Nurmi, LW (New York Islanders): Quick hands and work allowed Nurmi to pick up the first assist and the second goal of the game. The Islanders prospect played a pivotal role in the first-period dominance and sealed the deal for the Finns in the 3rd period with a big insurance goal.

#38 Jesse Kiiskinen, C (Detroit Red Wings): One of the most fun players to watch all tourney, Kiiskinen found himself on the scoresheet twice in the first period, banging home a goal and then creating a nice play for Nurmi to score Finland’s second of the night. Kiiskinen was all over the offensive zone finding himself in multiple scoring opportunities.

#30 Petteri Rimpinen, G (Undrafted): Once again, a stellar night by the Finnish netminder who came up big to stop Dalibor Dvorsky in the first period and stood on his head throughout the game to keep the game at a distance. Rimpinen was dialed in and has been one of the most consistent goalies in the tournament, likely making many teams’ draft lists.

#22 Kasper Halttunen, LW (San Jose Sharks): My oh my, what a one-timer. After a couple of missed chances, Halttunen was finally able to blast home a one-timer on the Finnish power play from his favorite spot.

Slovakia

#15 Dalibor Dvorsky, C (St. Louis Blues): Dvorsky was a workhorse tonight for the Slovaks. He had a big chance to get the first goal for Slovakia but was denied by the post and Rimpinen. Dvorsky picked up a big assist on the Slovaks five-minute powerplay. Dvorsky played a tough game, managed to cut the lead to just one with a big goal, won many faceoffs, and was an offensive threat throughout the 60 minutes.

#4 Maxim Strbak, D (Buffalo Sabres): Strbak was Slovakia’s best defender tonight, playing in all situations and doing whatever he could to help keep Slovakia alive. Strbak was crucial in breaking up a few offensive chances for the Finns and even found himself on the scoresheet on Pekarcik’s power-play goal.