Slovakia2 – Czech Republic 1:4 (end) | Sweden2 – Russia 3:2 (end) | USA – Canada2 2:3 (end)
Finland – Switzerland 3:4 (0:1 after SO)
after shootout (0:1)
Finland
3:4 (1:1, 1:2, 1:0)
Switzerland
Tuesday 31.12.2013, 18:00 • Malmo Arena • World Junior Championship
     
    What a game, and it finishes with a 4-3 win for Switzerland after penalty shots! It felt like the shootout might go on all the way into 2014, but Claude Paschoud made sure that this game did eventually have an ending. Finland won't be too sad about the loss though, they got the point they needed and have finished in second place in the group. The quarterfinals will take place on Thursday and we will have all of the games covered for you, all that's left for me to say today is Happy New Year to you all! Until next time. (20:44:03)
     
    Game over.
     
    65:00
    CLAUDE PASCHOUD scores the game winning penalty shot and it's a win for Team Switzerland!
     
    Claude Paschoud scores!
     
    Jusson Ikonen puts the puck too high
     
    Fuchs can't win the game for Switzerland, Saros saves again!
     
    Lindell puts the puck wide. Still 0-0!
     
    Praplan wants to shoot with his backhand but loses control of the puck
     
    Tervainen stepped up again for the Finns, but Nyffeler saves with his pads!
     
    Tervainen can win the game but Nyffeler stands tall! It's sudden death
     
    Fiala drags the puck back on himself, shoots, but Saros reads him really well!
     
    Maenalanen can't beat Nyffeler!
     
    Saros makes a good pad save from Herzog!
     
    Mustonen shoots weakly into Nyffeler!
     
    Zannger tries to play with Saros, but the Finnish goalkeeper comes out on top!
     
    Start of shootout.
     
    Switzerland will shoot first. Here we go!
     
    That's the end of overtime, and a penalty shootout is going to have to separate the two teams! Remember the winner earns 2 points, whereas the loser will still get 1
     
    65:00
    Overtime finished.
     
    64:30
    Last 30 seconds of overtime and if we don't see a goal, we're heading to penalty shots
     
    64:01
    Saros dives on the puck following a long pass towards the crease
     
    63:35
    Teravainen has space but can only hit Nyffeler with his attempt on goal
     
    62:55
    Nyffeler makes a sharp glove save from Ville Pokka
     
    62:18
    Zangger fires into Saros's near post but it's closed off well
     
    61:11
    Long drive from the point flies just wide of Nyffeler's goal! Finland doing all the attacking in overtime so far
     
    60:01
    Overtime began.
     
    And with Finland already guaranteed to get at least a point today, they have secured their second placed group finish behind Sweden.
     
    Overtime it is! 3-3 after 60 minutes.
     
    60:00
    3rd period finished.
     
    59:00
    Last minute of the third period, are we heading to overtime?
     
    58:56
    Now both teams are once again back to full strength
     
    56:56
    Mustonen gets called for high sticking and the Finnish powerplay has come to an early end
     
    56:43
    Finland have the puck into the net, but again it's chalked off and the referees won't even look at the video replays. Apparently it's been called no goal because of a crease violation
     
    55:55
    Mirco Muller breaks away on a shorthanded counterattack but can't find the far post!
     
    55:10
    Fiala is back on the ice. But literally just a few seconds later another foul is committed, this time by Rouiller for tripping and they stay on the penalty kill
     
    54:01
    Teravainen to Pokka at the point, big slapshot but right down the throat of Nyffeler
     
    53:05
    Kevin Fiala gets called for tripping and it's a powerplay opportunity for the Finns, just under seven minutes remaining
     
    50:21
    Powerful drive from Lindell from the blue line but Nyffeler makes a confident glove save
     
    50:00
    Half of the third period left, and we're all tied up at 3-3
     
    47:50
    Mustonen puts his backhand attempt just over the bar when finding himself free on the right
     
    46:52
    Switzerland couldn't take advantage of even a 5 on 3 and their opponents are back to full strength
     
    46:28
    Excellent double save by Saros! Vincent Praplan had the final attempt but Saros is looking on his game
     
    45:41
    Vainio is now back on the ice for Finland
     
    44:32
    And there was a foul mixed in with that chance too, and for just over a minute it's a 5 on 3 for Switzerland
     
    44:32
    Saros makes a save following a good charge to the net from the Swiss
     
    43:41
    Vainio for delaying the game gives the Swiss a powerplay opportunity and it wasn't 5 on 5 for long
     
    43:02
    Switzerland have successfully killed the penalty and it's a 5 on 5 hockey game again
     
    42:15
    The Finns go offside
     
    41:55
    Teravainen plays a nice one two with Lindell but his shot gets blocked
     
    41:02
    Straight after equalizing Finland now go on the powerplay, Baltisberger for holding gets a two minute minor
     
    40:35
    Goal for Team Finland! SAKU MAENALANEN with his stick tips in a shot from the point from Teravainen, and after the referees reviewed the incident it's ruled a good goal! Assists- Tuevo Teravainen
     
    40:35
    The puck is in the Swiss net, but it's been chalked off for high sticking. They're discussing the incident now with the help of video replays
     
    40:17
    Here we go, the final period of the group stages this year. Offside from Finland
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening two periods-

    Shots- 28-21
    Penalty minutes- 4-8
    Saves made by the goalkeeper- 18-26
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:21
    Icing by the Swiss
     
    39:00
    Final minute of the second period, Switzerland so far hanging on 3-2
     
    37:55
    Jusso Ikonen seeks out an attacking partner on the crease but the pass gets stopped in its tracks by Nyffeler
     
    36:51
    Switzerland have five players in the action again
     
    36:16
    Tervainen with another attempt on goal, but it gets deflected up and out of play by a Swiss stick
     
    35:10
    The lively Teravainen from the left cuts in and tries to get the puck over the shoulder of Nyffeler but his shot just lacks height
     
    34:51
    Frick of Switzerland for tripping gives Finland a chance to equal the game up on the powerplay
     
    33:18
    The next goal in this game is surely going to be vital, if Finland get it they will fancy their chances of going on and winning it, but as would Switzerland if they can extend their lead to two again
     
    30:29
    Goal for Team Finland! The Finns have given themselves a lifeline, ALEKSI MUSTONEN tips the puck home from a pass into the crease! Assists- Henri Ikonen and Juuso Vainio
     
    29:49
    And on that note Ville Husso's night is done, he's been pulled for the reliable Juuse Saros
     
    29:49
    Goal for Team Switzerland! Wow Finland are really letting this game get away from them! Husso gives up a big rebound and NICO DUNNER makes it 3-1! Assists- Marco Muller
     
    29:11
    Mustonen is now back into the action for Finland
     
    28:25
    Husso makes up for his mistake with a good save on a shot from Samuel Kreis!
     
    27:11
    All of a sudden the momentum has changed somewhat, for goaltender interference Mustonen puts his team on the penalty kill just after conceding that second goal
     
    26:56
    Goal for Team Switzerland! I didn't see that coming! It's yet another mistake by Husso as he loses sight of the puck and FABRICE HERZOG manages to bundle the puck home!
     
    26:33
    The puck bounces off Nyffeler, goes in the air, Finnish attackers try desperately to score but Nyffeler just in time dives on the puck! Switzerland coming under more and more pressure
     
    25:49
    Nattinen has a real chance but misses the net altogether!
     
    24:56
    Switzerland, albeit only just, managed to survive that powerplay and Fuchs is back on the ice
     
    23:06
    Lindell with a pacy wrister and Nyffeler makes a solid glove save!
     
    22:56
    Jason Fuchs gets spotted by the referees for tripping up the Finnish goalkeeper and it's a powerplay for Finland
     
    22:03
    Offside by the Finns. No chances in the period as yet, both teams are figuring out each other again
     
    20:40
    Icing by Finland in the first few seconds in the second period. 1-1 after the first
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the first period-

    Shots- 10-11
    Penalty minutes- 2-4
    Saves made by the goalkeeper- 10-9
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:34
    Goal for Team Finland! And they have responded! VILLA POKKA with a strong slapshot beats Nyffeler for the first time today! Assists- Esa Lindell and Tuevo Tervainen
     
    18:59
    Finland have a chance to respond now with a mans advantage, Jecker for tripping gets called
     
    18:50
    Goal for Team Switzerland! FLAVIO SCHMUTZ takes what looks like a pretty simple shot from the left flank but Husso misses it completely and it goes in the net! Assists- Kevin Fiala
     
    18:01
    Herzog twists and turns behind the Finnish net, then opts to shoot with his backhand but Husso is alert to the danger
     
    17:22
    Husso covers up the puck and gives Finland a breather. The Finns have lost the momentum that they created at the start
     
    16:00
    Muller takes a shot from the right flank, it's blocked but he gets his own rebound but can't hit the far corner
     
    15:24
    Switzerland couldn't create much with a man advantage and their opponents are back to full strength
     
    13:24
    Kulmala for slashing gives the Swiss their first powerplay of the game
     
    12:56
    Jusso Ikonen on the crease sends the puck into the glove of Nyffeler and not the net! Another good chance for Finland
     
    12:23
    Icing from Finland
     
    11:50
    Two on one for Finland on a fast breakaway but Topi Nattinen hits the post!
     
    10:27
    Husso makes a dreadful mistake by his net, gives the puck to Marco Muller but he redeems himself with the save!
     
    09:42
    Benoit Jecker from just outside the point sends a weak shot into the glove of Husso
     
    08:02
    The Swiss go offside
     
    07:27
    Switzerland have survived being on the penalty kill and they are back to full strength
     
    07:09
    Great teamplay from the Finns and another great chance, Honka sets up Henri Ikonen but he mishits the puck with only the goalkeeper to beat!
     
    06:08
    Teravainen sets up one of his teammates at the far post, but the puck just misses the net!
     
    05:27
    And we have the first powerplay of the game. For interference Phil Baltisberger gives the Finns a man advantage
     
    04:44
    Yet another stoppage and it's for offside by the Finns
     
    04:08
    Icing now from Switzerland
     
    03:45
    Fuchs skates purposefully into the Finnish zone, shoots powerfully but it's off target
     
    03:06
    Icing is committed by Finland
     
    02:25
    The first offside is from the Swiss
     
    01:53
    Simion makes Husso work for the first time with a long range shot but it lacks any power
     
    01:35
    Finland early on controlling the puck well and as expected have taken the initiative
     
    00:21
    Teravainen has the first shot of the game but his backhand attempt is stopped by Nyffeler
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    Finland need to just get one point out of this game to keep themselves in second place in the group, but if they lose to Switzerland, then they will drop to third and Russia will move up into second. The Swiss can only move up from fourth if they score a hat load of goals tonight.
     
    Starting lineups:

    Finland: Husso (Saros)- Lindell, Pokka, Maenalanen, Teravainen, Haapala- Lehtonen, Vainio, Nikko, Mustonen, Henri Ikonen, Honka, Vainonen, Jusso Ikonen, Kinnunen, Kulmala- Leskinen, Nattinen, Rauhala

    Switzerland: Nyffeler (Rochow)- Jecker, Mirco Muller, Herzog, Zangger, Fuchs- Baltisberger, Rathgeb, Praplan, F Schmutz, Fiala- Kreis, Rouiller, Sieber, Simion, Balmelli- Frick, Paschoud, J Schmutz, Marco Muller, Dunner

    Referees: Steve Papp, Devin Piccott.
     
    These are the Group B standings before tonight's game-

    1. SWE- W4, L0, GF 22, GA 7, PTS 12
    2. FIN- W2, L1, GF 16, GA 6, PTS 6
    3. RUS- W2, L2, GF 21, GA 8, PTS 6
    4. SUI- W1, L2, GF 7, GA 14, PTS 3
    5. NOR- W0, L4, GF3, GA 29, PTS 0
     
    Both sides have already qualified for the quarterfinals with a game to spare, but this game will confirm the final standings of the group. Finland started off with a loss against the Swedes before beating Norway 5-1 and Russia 4-1, whereas Switzerland have got their only win of the tournament so far with a narrow 3-2 victory against Norway yesterday. Earlier they had lost to Sweden 5-3 and to Russia 7-1.
     
    Good evening everyone, and welcome to Malmo for the final game of the group stages of the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championships. Sweden and Russia have already played against each other, and now it's down to Finland and Switzerland to draw the curtain on Group B, in an intriguing matchup.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 18:00.
    Commentary by

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 20. Pokka (Lindell, Tervainen), 31. Mustonen (Ikonen, Vainio), 41. Maenalanen (Teravainen) – 19. Schmutz (Fiala), 27. Herzog, 30. Dunner (Muller), dec. p.s. Paschoud

    Finland: Husso (Saros)- Lindell, Pokka, Maenalanen, Teravainen, Haapala- Lehtonen, Vainio, Nikko, Mustonen, Henri Ikonen, Honka, Vainonen, Jusso Ikonen, Kinnunen, Kulmala- Leskinen, Nattinen, Rauhala
    Switzerland: Nyffeler (Rochow)- Jecker, Mirco Muller, Herzog, Zangger, Fuchs- Baltisberger, Rathgeb, Praplan, F Schmutz, Fiala- Kreis, Rouiller, Sieber, Simion, Balmelli- Frick, Paschoud, J Schmutz, Marco Muller, Dunner
    Referees: Steve Papp, Devin Piccott