The semi-final of the Under-20 World Championships saw a real treat. Blood enemies Finland and Sweden fought fiercely for the final place. The game was only decided by the tough guys and Sweden went to the final with numbers 4–3.
Petteri Rimpinen played in Finland’s goal in the semi-final. The semi-final was played in St. Paul in the NHL arena, which attracts 18,000 spectators. PDO
The beginning of the Young Lions was catastrophic. Linus Eriksson threw the puck in the direction of the Finnish goal, the puck would have missed the goal, but Petteri Rimpinen put the puck in between, and the puck bounced into the goal.
In 36 seconds, the game was 1–0 for Sweden.
Heikki Ruohonen took the ice in the first minute from the fight.
At 16:26, Atte Joki scored an easy equalizer from Aron Kiviharju’s pass, so the game was 1-1 at the first break.
Bad start again
Joona Saarelainen scored Finland’s 3-3 equalizer. AOP / TIIA MAHKONEN
Sweden struck again at the beginning of the second period. Ivar Stenberg shot sharply in 1:20, and Rimpinen did not see the puck properly.
50 seconds later, Jasper Kuhta shot fiercely over, but the puck bounced back off the Plexiglas and went into the net through the back of the Swedish keeper. Kasper Pikkarainen made a strong advance to the goal and also got an assist. Game 2-2.
Eddie Genborg took the western neighbor to a 3–2 lead with a real stroke of luck. After two sets, the game was 3–2 for Sweden.
– We gave them the lead, defended a bit lazily as a whole, said captain Aron Kiviharju to HBO Max during the second halftime break.
That’s how it happened
Matias Vanhanen was Finland’s only successful player in the World Cup semi-finals. AOP / TIIA MAHKONEN
In a time of 54.01, Nuoret Leijonat came nicely to 3-3 levels. Joona Saarelainen rapped the loose piece in tastefully. Input surfaces were recorded Heikki Ruohonen and Arttu Vällä.
The World Cup finalist was selected through overtime. It was already the third overtime game of the tournament for Finland.
In overtime, Kiviharju shot to the top bar and Rimpinen made several good saves, but the game was settled with the winning shots.
The eighth pair brought the solution. Sweden won 4–3 and will play in the World Cup final. Only Matias Vanhanen succeeded from Finland.
– This is a huge disappointment. I’m proud of every guy on this team. We went together, said an extremely disappointed Rimpinen.
What goes through the goalkeeper’s mind when the scrimmage starts.
– Nothing.
Rimpinen was no longer able to answer the question about how big a disappointment it is to lose the WC final. Emotions took over the top goalkeeper.
Julius Miettinen met the media with a hoarse voice.
– It’s very sad that it turned out this way today. It was a one-goal game, One bounce for a guy and that was it, the crosser licked.
Finland will play in the bronze medal game on Monday.