The stage was set for a thrilling semifinal clash at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships as Sweden took on Finland for a spot in the gold medal game. Finland would eventually win out in overtime after a hard-fought game, defeating their long-time rival Sweden.
Both teams were coming off impressive quarterfinal victories, with Sweden looking to continue their dominant run and Finland aiming to reclaim the title they last won in 2019. The game promised to be a high-octane battle between two of the tournament’s most talented squads, featuring the top prospects from both nations—and it delivered.
Canada’s 2025 world juniors chances were once again stymied in the quarterfinals stage, losing to Czechia. Czechia will take on the impressive reigning gold medalist Team USA world juniors team at 7:30 p.m. ET tonight in the other semifinal match-up. USA defeated Switzerland to earn their spot in the semis.
Sweden and Finland faced off in a 2025 World Juniors contest for a chance at the gold medal game. See the final score, read the recap, and watch highlights.
Read the game recap and watch highlights of the Sweden vs Finland 2025 IIHF World Juniors semifinal game on Saturday, January 4.
FINLAND WILL PLAY FOR GOLD!#WorldJuniors #Suomi pic.twitter.com/H0a44jRkHg
In a no look shot ripped to the short side corner under Melker Thelim’s leg, Benjamin Rautiainen scored the goal for Finland in overtime to send them to the gold medal game against the winner of the other semifinal match between Team USA and Czechia.
After killing the Swedish power play, Finland was rewarded with a power play for the final 80 seconds of overtime.
Sweden took the 4-on-3 advantage in overtime after a high stick from Jesse Nurmi smacked Felix Unger Sorum in the helmet. The penalty took place with seven and a half minutes remaining.
Sweden was able to get three shots on goal on the power play but Finland and goalie Rimpinen stood strong and stopped them.
After regulation play, Finland and Sweden came out tied 3-to-3, with Sweden controlling play for almost the entirety of the third period. Finland created a bit more offense as the final minutes ticked down. If they remain tied after overtime, they will do a shootout.
After a number of close calls for Finland, Sweden’s Wilhelm Hallquisth was able to wrist the puck through the five hole of Rimpinen. Felix Unger Sorum and Viggo Gustafsson earned the assists.
Sweden was much more in control for the first two-thirds of third period, offering more pressure in Finland’s zone than they had in either of the earlier two periods. Shots were 17 for Sweden and just two for Finland in the first 15 minutes of the third period.
Hold the phone. Sweden’s not done yet after getting one through Petteri Rimpinen! It’s 3-3 in the third. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/4lcezjJCul
Emil Pieniniemi was called for cross-checking in front of Finland’s net on Felix Nilsson after multiple warnings from the referee. The call was made with 13:02 remaining in the period.
Sweden kept the pressure high but the penalty kill from Finland was enough to keep the puck out of the back of the net.
Sweden had a number of good looking chances to score in the early parts of the third period but Rimpinen was unable to be fooled.
The Finnish defense put their bodies on the line, as well, blocking at least four shots from Sweden.
After two very different periods so far in today’s semifinal matchup between rivals Finland and Sweden, the third period is set to begin as they fight it out for a chance at a gold medal on Sunday, Dec. 5.
Finland gets a bounce of their own and gets the lead back in the dying seconds of the second period. What a swing in the last two minutes. Arttu Alasiura gets credit and Sweden does not challenge for potential interference. With penalty threat if the challenge fails, not worth it
With just 21 seconds remaining in the period, Arttu Alasiurua scored for Finland with an assist from Emil Hemming. Alasiurua drove the net, not too unlike Stenberg’s attempt on the other end that took down Finland’s goalie earlier in the period. Sweden’s bench seemingly determined that their own defenseman pushed the Finn into the net, deciding against a challenge for goalie interference.
What a swing to end the period! Finland’s Arttu Alasiurua crashes the net and gets the bounce. Finland is 20 minutes from going to the gold medal game unless Sweden can find another equalizer. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/kG1ScFfk1v
With 2:42 remaining in the second period, Kangas was called for holding in Finland’s zone to give Sweden the power play.
In the early moments of their power play, Stenberg slinged a shot that would otherwise go very wide and it hit off of Vaisanen’s hand for a very lucky bounce into the net past Rimpinen.
They all look the same on the scoresheet, right, Otto? Stenberg gets his second of the game in more fortunate fashion. Tied up! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/BLgBoL5JxK
Finland took their first lead of the game after setting up Kiiskinen at the back door on the power play to tap the puck past Melker Thelin.
Finland strikes on the power play and this one counts! Jesse Kiiskinen (DET) taps it in to go up 2-1 at the #WorldJuniors. pic.twitter.com/oL8jFPLDQK
After finding some open space in the ice, Ruohonen was able to gather speed and attack the net before trying to take an inside position on Herman Traff. Traff pulled him down in protest on his way to the net.
Stenberg was tripped by Hemming, which put Sweden on their first power play of the game. After just 17 seconds, Sandin Pellikka was called for tripping on Heikki Ruohonen to make it 4-on-4.
Neither team was able to convert before returning to full strength.
With just under 12 minutes remaining in the period, Aron Kiviharju was able to sneak the puck past Thelin under his blocker side leg pad, but it was called back after it turned out that the puck did not enter the zone in Finland’s possession.
Finland went on the power play for their second time today after a high sticking call was made when Gustafsson’s stick came near Kumpulainen’s facemask. Kumpulainen overreacted to the stick and drew the call.
Emil Hemming scored the goal for Finland with an assist from Konsta Helenius with a bit more than 15 minutes remaining in the period.
What a pass from @AmerksHockey forward Konsta Helenius (BUF) to Emil Hemming (DAL) to even the score for Finland. #WorldJuniors @theAHL | #AHL pic.twitter.com/MfkmE2i2G0
Otto Stenberg scored for Sweden with an assist from Rasmus Bergqvist less than 90 seconds into the second period.
What an absolute SNIPE from #stlblues prospect Otto Stenberg to give Sweden the lead in the semifinals at the #WorldJuniors! #SHL pic.twitter.com/V3jXDyRIyB
Follow FloHockey expert analyst Chris Peters on X for even more analysis of the 2025 IIHF World Juniors.
Finland and Sweden tied 0-0 after a sleepy first period. 10-10 shots on goal. Very few legit scoring chances to speak of. Just the way Finland likes it. #WorldJuniors
Finland outshot the Swedish team for most of the first period. As the clock ticked past ten minutes remaining, Sweden started putting more pressure in the Finnish zone and creating chances for . They ended the period with 10 shots on goal each.
The physicality also picked up in the final minutes of the period with a particularly odd interaction between Rimpinen and Stenberg during a TV timeout while the teams skated to their benches.
It looked like Stenberg tripped Rimpinen, who was skating just a few feet behind the goalie when he fell. The referee could be heard say “what are you doing,” to the player. After another look at the replay during the intermission break, it was clear that Stenberg swept the goalie’s feet with his stick.
Not to mention, a very hard high stick to Konsta Helenius’s chin from Anton Wahlberg that was missed by the referee’s in the final seconds of the period.
The puck is down! Who will win this battle of neighbors?🇸🇪🇫🇮 #SWEFIN #WorldJuniors #IIHF pic.twitter.com/sJACMnuilH
With 14:52 remaining in the first period, Finland went on the first power play of these semifinals. Viggo Gustafsson was called for high sticking deep in Sweden’s zone.
Finland has had the second-worst power play of the tournament, while Sweden has the second-worst penalty kill.
Finland was unable to convert, with their best scoring chance coming in the final moments of the power play—Thelin and the Swedish penalty kill unit stood strong.
Stay tuned for live updates, scoring highlights, and other news about the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship semifinal match-up between Sweden and Finland on Saturday, January 4.
This is the first of two semifinals today, with the second, Team USA vs Czechia starting at 7:30 p.m. ET in Ottawa at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The winners of today’s games will play in the gold medal match on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The losers will play for bronze at 3:30 p.m. ET.
All-Time Series Record: Sweden Leads 21-19-2
Gold Medals: Finland 5, Sweden 2
Group B winner, Sweden, totaled the most points in the preliminary round and went undefeated. They continued that with a nail-biting 3-2 win over Latvia after scoring the first three goals of the game.
Finland is another country that has played great in the early round of the World Juniors, only allowing eight goals and being responsible for the only United States loss in the tournament. They advanced to the semifinals in a close game as well, winning 5-3 over Slovakia after Finland held a 4-1 lead in the second period.
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The old rivalry returns!🇸🇪⚔️🇫🇮 #WorldJuniors@trekronorse @leijonat #IIHF pic.twitter.com/DOQDoN7iPM
Team USA vs. Czechia can be watched in the semifinals on Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET NHL Network and TSN in the World Junior Championships.
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship will air on TSN and RDS television in Canada and be streamed on TSN+.
Sweden vs. Finland can be watched in the semifinals on Jan. 4 at 3:30 p.m. ET NHL Network and TSN in the World Junior Championships.
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship will air on TSN and RDS television in Canada and be streamed on TSN+.
Group A
Team
GP
PTS
W
OTW
OTL
USA
4
10
3
0
1
Finland
4
8
2
1
0
Canada
4
7
2
0
1
Latvia
4
4
0
2
0
Germany
4
1
0
0
1
Group B
Team
GP
PTS
W
OTW
OTL
Sweden
4
12
4
0
0
Czechia
4
9
3
0
0
Slovakia
4
5
1
1
0
Switzerland
4
3
1
0
0
Kazakhstan
4
1
0
0
1
Thursday, Jan. 2
Saturday, Jan. 4
Sunday, Jan. 5
Quarterfinals
Group A
Group B
Group A
Group B
Group A
Group B
Group A
Group B
Group A
Group B
Group A
Group B
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship will air on TSN and RDS on television in Canada. The tournament will be streamed on TSN+ in Canada, as well.
In the United States, NHL Network will be the television home of the World Junior Championship. Streaming information for USA is not currently available.
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