By Canadian Press

Host Sweden hangs on for nervy 3-2 overtime win over Switzerland at world juniors

Jan 2, 2024 | 1:44 PM

GOTHENBURG, Sweden — Axel Sandin-Pellikka scored a power-play goal 5:22 into overtime as host Sweden survived a scare and advanced to the semifinals with a 3-2 win over underdog Switzerland on Tuesday at the world junior hockey championship.

Sweden went on the decisive power play when Switzerland defenceman Rodwin Dionicio was called for hooking.

Dionicio, who snapped the blade off his stick in frustration after the call, could only watch as Sandin-Pellikka scored after a period of sustained pressure playing 4-on-3.

Sweden will face Czechia, which upset two-time defending champion Canada 3-2 in another quarterfinal, in Thursday’s semifinals.

The United States will face Finland in the other semi.

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Otto Stenberg and Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored in the first period to give Sweden a 2-0 lead as the hosts, who are a favourite to take the gold medal, looked firmly in control.

But Jan Hornecker scored in the second period to cut Sweden’s lead in half, and Nick Meile tied it with a goal midway through the third period.

Switzerland killed off a late penalty that stretched into the beginning of overtime, but couldn’t keep the Swedish attack off the scoreboard on its next chance.

Hugo Havelid stopped 16 shots in goal for Sweden.

Alessia Beglieri made 30 saves for Switzerland.

FINLAND 4 SLOVAKIA 3 (OT)

Jere Lassila scored 24 seconds into overtime as Finland advanced to the semifinals with a wild win over Slovakia.

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki scored with less than two minutes remaining in regulation to give Finland a 3-2 lead, but Slovakia’s Filip Mesar tied it with less than a minute to go.

Tommi Mannisto and Lenni Hameenaho also scored for Finland.

Adam Sykora and Dalibor Dvorsky had the other goals for Slovakia.

Niklas Kokko made 27 saves for Finland, while Adam Gajan stopped 24 shots for Slovakia.

UNITED STATES 7 LATVIA 2

Gabe Perreault had two goals and an assist to lead the United States into the semifinals.

Will Smith and Oliver Moore each had a goal and an assist, while Drew Fortescue, Danny Nelson and Rutger McGroarty also scored.

Seamus Casey had three assists, while Cutter Gauthier set up two goals.

Dans Locmelis had both goals for Latvia.

Jacob Fowler made 23 saves for the Americans, while Latvia’s Deivs Rolovs stopped 34 shots.

CZECHIA 3 CANADA 2

Jakub Stancl scored his second goal of the game with 11.7 seconds left in third period, as Czechia survived a blown 2-0 lead to defeat Canada 3-2.

Tomas Cibulka had the other goal for Czechia. Michael Hrabal made 28 saves to get the win.

Matthew Wood and Jake Furlong replied for Canada, which was looking for its third straight world junior title. Mathis Rousseau made 19 saves in the loss.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 2, 2024.

The Canadian Press