ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Day 3 of the 2026 World Junior Championship featured just two matches, but the action remained intense as teams braved a significant snowstorm to compete.
In the first game at the Grand Casino Arena, Sweden came from behind to secure a 4-2 victory over Switzerland, improving their record to 2-0 in the tournament. Their next match will be against Germany on Monday. Sweden initially took the lead with a goal from Anaheim Ducks prospect Eric Nilson, but Switzerland’s Beni Waidacher equalized in the first period. Despite trailing again after Lars Steiner scored for Switzerland, Sweden regained control in the third period, thanks to goals from Viggo Bjorck and Lucas Pettersson, the latter netting two goals that clinched the game for Sweden.
Several players stood out during the match. Defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius showcased strong defensive skills, minimizing mistakes while effectively transitioning the puck. Sascha Boumedienne also contributed positively, being more aggressive in his offensive attempts compared to previous games. Alfons Freij has been a standout on defense, consistently making smart plays and contributing to goal-scoring opportunities. Lucas Pettersson’s performance in the third period proved pivotal, as he exploited defensive lapses from Switzerland to find the net.
On the Swiss side, Daniil Ustinkov played a high-risk game that occasionally paid off, while Leon Muggli made a strong return from injury with two assists. Lars Steiner remained a key offensive player for Switzerland, demonstrating his shooting prowess throughout the match.
The second game featured Finland dominating Latvia with an impressive 8-0 victory, making them 2-0 in the tournament and placing them ahead of Canada in Group B. Finland’s offensive surge included goals from Emil Hemming, Jasper Kuhta, and Max Westergaard in the first period, while the second period saw further goals from Hemming and Joona Saarelainen. The defeat left Latvia struggling to recover from a previous loss to Canada, managing only seven shots on goal as Finland outshot them significantly.
Top performers for Finland included defenseman Lasse Boelius, who contributed both offensively and defensively; Aron Kiviharju, who showcased his skating and playmaking abilities; and Emil Hemming, whose performance was recognized with two goals. Max Westergaard’s ability to get into tight scoring positions added another layer of danger for Latvia, while Julius Miettinen and Matias Vanhanen showed great chemistry on the top line, creating consistent scoring chances.
Despite the lopsided scores, both Sweden and Finland displayed moments of brilliance and strategic play that foreshadow exciting matchups as the tournament continues. For fans, the potential for thrilling performances from some of hockey’s future stars is certainly something to look forward to as the competition progresses.