Finland celebrates a goal in their 5-1 semifinal win over Canada at the 2014 WJC in Malmo, Sweden. They’ll face the host Swedes for gold tomorrow.
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The IIHF U20 WJC2014 tournament is coming to a close. The gold medal game won’t feature Team USA or Canada. Not even Russia. All have been eliminated. USA bowed out in disappointing fashion to the Russians in a lopsided quarter. In today’s semifinals, Russia fell to host Sweden 2-1 while Canada was ousted by Finland 5-1.

And so, for a third consecutive year Canada will not play for gold. The repeat broadcast is on TSN at 7:30 tonight. However, it should be blacked out in most parts of the United States for a special NHL Network HNIC Saturday feature of Original Sixes the Rangers and Maple Leafs from Air Canada Centre.

In the first semi, the Swedes prevailed thanks to the goaltending of Oscar Dansk. He made 26 saves including some dandies late to hold off an all out Russian attack. Filip Forsberg scored his tournament leading 12th point and Oskar Sundqvist notched the game-winner. Damir Zhafyarov scored for Russia. A brawl at the end of the game made for an ugly conclusion. Jesper Petterson came out of the box and went after a Russian. Hopefully, there won’t be any suspensions.

The second semi saw the Finns make the most of their chances. Joni Nikko took full advantage of a fortunate bounce off the boards to beat Zachary Fucale. Arturri Lehkonen steered home a rebound off a nice set up from Teuvo Teravainen for a power play goal that made it 2-0 in the second. But Jonathan Drouin came back with a sweet finish thanks to a steal from Anthony Mantha cutting the deficit in half.

However, Canada’s momentum was hurt by a Drouin illegal check to the head minor that also cost him an extra 10. Following a sprawling save by Fucale, Sabres’ prospect Rasmus Ristolainen converted to restore a two-goal lead for Finland. Carefully opting to defend, they let Canada get plenty of attack time. However, they couldn’t beat Juuse Saros, who had help from a maze of defenders.

With a desperate opponent pinching, eventually they caught Canada allowing Julius Honka to get behind for a break. With Honka indicating he injured his hand, the Finns sent out the more dangerous Teravainen. The controversial move led to the gifted Blackhawks’ prospect beating Fucale with a backhand deke upstairs. He added an empty netter for good measure.

It dealt former Devils’ coach Brent Sutter his first regulation loss in WJC play dating back to when he coached Canada to gold in 2005-06. For a second straight year, Canada will play Russia for bronze. Last year, Russia prevailed.