Top standouts from Finland vs. Sweden at 2024 World Junior Championship
Sweden’s shutout streak was finally broken, and they finally dropped a game as Finland managed to win 5-4 in the shootout for their second consecutive win.
The Swedes had already clinched top spot in Group A on Friday and will await the loser of the Switzerland vs. Norway game in the quarterfinal on Tuesday. The Finns will wait to see what happens with Germany to see if they’ll face either USA or Slovakia.
Finland was in control of the first, taking a 2-0 lead off the heels of goals from Tommi Mannisto and Lenni Hameenaho. Sweden had just four shots in the first period, but a four-goal second period, thanks to Isac Born, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Theo Lindstein and Filip Bystedt, helped change the course of the game. Kasper Halttunen added one for Finland, but it wasn’t until Jani Nyman scored an empty-netter with just over a minute left that the Finns truly found themselves back in contention.
The game required a shootout, with Jonathan Lekkerimaki scoring first for Sweden. But goals by Konsta Helenius and Nyman sealed the deal for the Finns, coming back after a difficult second period took them out for a bit.
Here’s a look at the top players from one of the biggest games of the preliminary round:
Finland
#33 Jani Nyman, RW (Seattle Kraken): Nyman has been quieter than I was hoping for in this tournament, but he seemed involved in everything today. He got himself into scoring position for the 4-4 goal with the empty net, giving the Finns the momentum back after losing it early in the second. Add in the shootout goal, and it was only fitting Nyman scored given how well he played. If he can replicate his effort today going forward, watch out.
#34 Tommi Mannisto, LW (Undrafted): Please, someone draft Mannisto. Few players worked as hard as he did today, or any game. The quick-skating, puck-chasing winger from Michigan State University scored the first goal Sweden allowed all tournament, his second in four games. But it’s not the offense that excites me, because that’s not his game. It’s how he never, ever gives up on a play, bringing a nice physical touch to every shift.
#22 Kasper Halttunen, RW (San Jose Sharks): Halttunen did it all: he hit, he scored, he snagged an assist and got into Sweden’s head. His power-play goal was an absolute snipe, and I thought he hustled as hard as he has in any game so far. Halttunen’s skating isn’t a strong point, but he makes himself difficult to play against.
#20 Oiva Keskinen, C (Columbus Blue Jackets): It was another good showing for Keskinen, who tallied two assists. He’s a great setup guy who doesn’t buckle under pressure and finds open lanes, especially for his good buddy Halttunen. Keskinen is having a career year back home, and this tournament has showed that he’s a toolsy forward who can find open lanes.
Sweden
#9 Theo Lindstein, D (St. Louis Blues): I wouldn’t be surprised if Lindstein ends up on the tournament all-star team. Lindstein’s been great in his own zone, and he scored his first of the tournament after registering five assists in his first three games. Lindstein was a late addition to the team, but he’s almost was one of the best offensive defensemen any time he represents Sweden internationally. He’s a big reason for Sweden’s success on home ice.
#16 Felix Unger Sorum, RW (Carolina Hurricanes): FUS might be my second favorite player for the Swedes. He had two assists in the second period to help get the Swedes back in front and came close to scoring one of his own. Unger Sorum’s two-way game continues to impress, and he’s one of the best playmakers on the Swedish squad.
#23 Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW (Vancouver Canucks): One of my biggest questions for Sweden was which Lekkerimaki we were going to see. He’s had his fair share of ups and downs with the national team, but this has been a good tournament for him – especially on the power play. He scored the 2-2 goal with the man advantage and nearly scored an insurance marker late in the third, among other good looks. When he’s dialed in, the offense follows, and it helped lead to a shootout goal, too.
#12 Noah Ostlund, C (Buffalo Sabres): Ostlund was feeling it today, even though he didn’t score. From the get-go, he was one of Sweden’s hardest-working players and made some noise around the net. His two-way game continues to improve, too. Ostlund was injured earlier in December, but I feel like he’s looking quicker and more engaged with every game.
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