We’re down to the final four at the 2025 world juniors after an action-packed and, at times, dramatic quarterfinals. We have the same four teams as last year in the semifinals, as Sweden, USA, Finland and Czechia are headed to the medal rounds. They will compete for international hockey supremacy at the U-20 level in Ottawa.
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For a second-straight year, Team Canada has disappointed with an early exit, losing in the quarterfinals to the same Czech team that beat them last year. Hockey Canada is sure to do some reflecting, but that is a story for another day. Four fantastic teams are moving on to the semifinals of the World Juniors. Let’s first look back before checking out how the semifinals may shake out.
After going up 3-0, the Latvians fought their way back in the second period on the back of two goals from Eriks Mateiko and a wildly impressive performance from goalie Linards Feldbergs, who stopped 47 of 50 shots in the game. Although they couldn't tie the game, Feldbergs kept this game close, making the Swedes sweat out a one-goal lead right until the final whistle.
The performance by the Latvians should be commended. Coming into the tournament with just two wins all-time in the round-robin stage, they doubled that total with two big wins, including their upset over the Canadians. Feldbergs has been the tournament's best netminder, and he may have earned himself a draft choice as a 19-year-old when the event takes place in June. Mateiko has been phenomenal, putting this team on his back offensively and showing the Washington Capitals they made a solid pick.
The Americans took down the Swiss in a game that went according to plan, going up 7-1 through two periods before parking the bus in the third period and securing a 7-2 win. Team USA’s top line of James Hagens, Gabe Perreault, and Ryan Leonard had seven points combined to lead the onslaught. There wasn’t much the Swiss could do as they were simply outmatched.
The Finns escaped Slovakia despite being outplayed for long stretches of the game. The difference in the game was Petteri Rimpinen in net for the Finns. His ability to make desperation saves or pull pucks back off the goal line was what gave Finland the edge. Another solid performance from Jesse Kiiskinen up front and Daniel Nieminen on the back end led the way for the Finnish skaters.
Juraj Pekarcik was the Slovaks' best offensive player, and Dalibor Dvorsky came up huge in the third period, scoring late to pull within one before Finland added an empty-netter. Slovakia went down swinging, outshooting the Finns 37-18. Slovakia likely deserved a better fate, but hockey is a game of bounces, and Finland got the bounces on this day.
Shortly after, Canada’s Cole Beaudoin was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a knee-on-knee hit that may have been a bit questionable, though Canada did score their only goal in the first half of the game on the penalty kill.
Canada’s self-inflicted mistakes led to goals and scoring chances for Czechia. Once again, Canada’s lack of discipline also played a part in the game, as they gave Czechia far too many chances to take advantage with the extra man.adasdasd
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For a second-straight year, Team Canada has disappointed with an early exit, losing in the quarterfinals to the same Czech team that beat them last year. Hockey Canada is sure to do some reflecting, but that is a story for another day. Four fantastic teams are moving on to the semifinals of the World Juniors. Let’s first look back before checking out how the semifinals may shake out.
After going up 3-0, the Latvians fought their way back in the second period on the back of two goals from Eriks Mateiko and a wildly impressive performance from goalie Linards Feldbergs, who stopped 47 of 50 shots in the game. Although they couldn't tie the game, Feldbergs kept this game close, making the Swedes sweat out a one-goal lead right until the final whistle.
The performance by the Latvians should be commended. Coming into the tournament with just two wins all-time in the round-robin stage, they doubled that total with two big wins, including their upset over the Canadians. Feldbergs has been the tournament's best netminder, and he may have earned himself a draft choice as a 19-year-old when the event takes place in June. Mateiko has been phenomenal, putting this team on his back offensively and showing the Washington Capitals they made a solid pick.
The Americans took down the Swiss in a game that went according to plan, going up 7-1 through two periods before parking the bus in the third period and securing a 7-2 win. Team USA’s top line of James Hagens, Gabe Perreault, and Ryan Leonard had seven points combined to lead the onslaught. There wasn’t much the Swiss could do as they were simply outmatched.
The Finns escaped Slovakia despite being outplayed for long stretches of the game. The difference in the game was Petteri Rimpinen in net for the Finns. His ability to make desperation saves or pull pucks back off the goal line was what gave Finland the edge. Another solid performance from Jesse Kiiskinen up front and Daniel Nieminen on the back end led the way for the Finnish skaters.
Juraj Pekarcik was the Slovaks' best offensive player, and Dalibor Dvorsky came up huge in the third period, scoring late to pull within one before Finland added an empty-netter. Slovakia went down swinging, outshooting the Finns 37-18. Slovakia likely deserved a better fate, but hockey is a game of bounces, and Finland got the bounces on this day.
Shortly after, Canada’s Cole Beaudoin was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a knee-on-knee hit that may have been a bit questionable, though Canada did score their only goal in the first half of the game on the penalty kill.
Canada’s self-inflicted mistakes led to goals and scoring chances for Czechia. Once again, Canada’s lack of discipline also played a part in the game, as they gave Czechia far too many chances to take advantage with the extra man.adasdasd
