Back-to-back goals by Sweden in the final minutes of Monday’s quarter-final ended the medal hopes of Finland’s Young Lions.
Finland was close to a win against Sweden in a quarterfinal match at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Halifax, Canada on Monday, holding a 2-1 lead through most of the third period.
However, with just three and a half minutes to go in the game, the Swedes tied the score, and with a mere 1:05 still on the clock Sweden’s Victor Stjernborg broke away and scored the decisive goal.
One final shot by Finland was snapped up by Sweden’s netminder, leaving the score 3-2 to Sweden at the final buzzer.
The Monday loss marks the first time in five years that Finland’s juniors have missed out on a spot in the world championship semi-finals.