(Moncton) Victor Stjernborg scored shorthanded with 1:05 left in the third period on Monday as Sweden advanced to the semifinals of the World Junior Hockey Championship with a 3-2 win over Finland.
Stjernborg was chosen in the fourth round in 2021, by Chicago.
Lightning prospect Niko Huuhtanen gave the Finns a 2-1 lead at 4:03 in the final frame.
Leo Carlsson scored his second goal of the game a dozen minutes later, before Stjernborg netted.
Finland’s other goal came from Oliver Kapanen, a second-round pick by the Canadiens two years ago.
The Swedes will face the Czechs or the Swiss in the next stage. An American-German clash will precede the Canada-Slovakia match, which will be presented on Monday evening.
Winning goalkeeper Carl Lindbom made 33 saves, while Jani Lampinen stopped 17 shots. Lindbom was drafted by Vegas in 2021, in the seventh round.
Latvia 5 Austria 2
In Halifax, a brace from Emils Veckaktins helped the Latvians win 5-2 against Austria.
Bogdans Hodass had one goal and two assists.
In Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis also scored for Latvia, which outshot 46-13.
The Austrian reply came from Luca Auer and Vinzenz Rohrer.
The same two clubs will face each other on Wednesday, with the challenge of participating in the next world junior championship.
The next edition of the tournament will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden.