(Gothenburg) Axel Sandin Pellikka scored in overtime to allow Sweden to avoid the worst and defeat Switzerland 3-2 on Tuesday at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
During a power play, Sandin Pellikka fired a good wrist shot that goalkeeper Alessio Beglieri failed to stop. David Edstrom served as screen.
Sweden, first in Group A, let a 2-0 lead slip away, but they still qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament.
Otto Stenberg and Jonathan Lekkerimaki also shook things up for the Swedes, who now face the Czech Republic, who surprised Canada.
Jan Hornecker and Nick Maile gave Switzerland dreams, but a penalty awarded to Rodwin Dionicio ended their hopes.
Hugo Havelid recorded the victory with 16 saves for Sweden while Beglieri stopped 30 shots for Switzerland.
Gabriel Perreault scored two goals and an assist as the United States topped Latvia 7-2.
The Americans, who finished first in Group B, struck in the 91st second and didn’t look back after that.
Will Smith and Oliver Moore both had a goal and an assist for the winners. Danny Nelson, Rutger McGroarty and Drew Fortescue also sparkled the red light.
Montreal Canadiens prospect Jacob Fowler stopped 23 of 25 pucks aimed at the American net. Defenseman Lane Hutson, another Habs prospect, had an assist.
In Locmelis, a fourth-round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2022, scored both of Latvia’s goals.
In his last game at this tournament, Deivs Rolovs surrendered seven times in 41 shots.
Jere Lassila played the hero in the 24th second of overtime and Finland defeated Slovakia 4-3.
Lassila recovered the puck in his territory and used his speed to beat the Slovak defense as well as goaltender Adam Gajan.
Aleksanteri Kaskimaki thought he had given Finland the victory when he scored with 1:34 remaining in the third period. Canadian prospect Filip Mesar, however, tied the game just 50 seconds later.
Finland nevertheless triumphed to erase a rather ordinary preliminary round, during which it notably lost against Germany.
Tommi Mannisto and Lenni Hameenaho also found the back of the net for the Finns. Niklas Kokko made 27 saves.
Adam Sykora and Dalibor Dvorsky also scored for Slovakia, which had medal hopes after finishing second in Group B. Gajan stopped 24 pucks.
Finland will face the United States in the semi-finals.
