The first chain of the Young Lions was led by center Aatu Rädy in a glorious opening match. In the final moments, the referee showed Finland a goal, even though the puck only went over the top bar.
Finland’s under-20 national team opened its World Cup tournament in Edmonton with an expected victory over Latvia. Finland defeated Russia, who replaced Latvia in the tournament, with 6–1 goals.
The highly skilled first line of the Young Lions had immediate success. Reserved for the Nashville Predators in the first round in the summer Joakim Kemell scored two goals and two assists. Center Aatu Räty recorded points 1+3 and captain Roni Hirvonen 1+2.
The level difference was already evident in the opening set. The Young Lions repeatedly and certainly with slow starts rolled over the middle area, which also caused difficulties for Latvia.
Finland’s opening goal was seen through a direct attack, when the puck went around the five of each player. Kemell got the puck from Rädy on the right wing and tried to return it to Rädy who had slipped in front of the goal. However, the game tool bounced off fortunately No Fenenko bat in.
In the second hit, Hirvonen, on the other hand, grabbed the puck at his own blue line and skated into a superior attack with Kemelli. In the end, Palokan Kieko’s grown-up was able to shoot from the back post of the game tool into the net.
The second set was completely even, and Latvia offered no resistance to Finland. Young Lions got long attacks and thus also got superior powers.
Right to the start of the set Brad Lambert took Finland to a 3–0 lead with superiority, when Roby Järventie kicked the spot in the middle of the square. Later, in the final moments of the set, Latvia’s over-the-top attacking with understrength backfired, and Hirvonen was able to make it 4-0 with a counterattack. Input points for Rädy and Kasper Simontaipale.
Latvia got its only final of the night at the beginning of its intriguing superiority. In the finish, he managed to shoot with a tap Klavs Weinbergswhich itched Kasper from Puutio to the top corner.
In the third set, the game was already so clear that even the referee couldn’t stay awake anymore. Defender Topi Niemelä ended the impressive rotation of Finland’s number one chain with his handsome shot. The referee showed a goal, and in addition the goal buzzer started to sound.
The situation was examined on video, from which it became clear that Niemelä’s shot hit the crossbar. Moments later, the puck was actually in the goal, when Räty succeeded from a direct attack and Kemelli’s pass. Puutio completed the final score to 6–1 in 58.40.
Wed 10.8. at 01:00 Latvia – Finland
Thu 11.8. at 21:00 Finland – Czech Republic
Sun 14.8. at 21:00 Finland – Slovakia
Tue 16.8. at 01:00 Canada – Finland
Finland plays in the same group with Canada, Latvia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The tournament starts from the beginning, i.e. the results of matches played at the turn of the year are not taken into account.
The semifinals will be played on August 17–18. and the semi-finals on August 19–20. The medals will be played on the night between Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21.