{"id":39817,"date":"2019-01-05T22:30:06","date_gmt":"2019-01-06T03:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=39817"},"modified":"2019-01-05T22:51:30","modified_gmt":"2019-01-06T03:51:30","slug":"finland-wins-gold-at-world-junior-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/01\/05\/finland-wins-gold-at-world-junior-championship\/","title":{"rendered":"Finland Wins Gold at World Junior Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Team Finland has won the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/12\/23\/2019-world-junior-championships-pool-a\/\" target=\"_self\">2019 World Junior Championship<\/a>. It is their third gold medal since 2013. Team USA receives their first silver medal since 1997. 2019 NHL Draft Prospect <strong>Kaapo Kakko<\/strong> scored the winning goal with 1:26 left to play in the third period. It was Kakko&#8217;s second goal and fifth point of the tournament in seven games.\u00a0 Fellow 2019 Prospect, Team USA&#8217;s <strong>Jack Hughes<\/strong> had an assist, giving him four points in four tournament games.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Kaapo Kakko with the Golden Goal? <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WJC2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WJC2019<\/a> \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddee <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zrFvKQEB5M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/zrFvKQEB5M<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Hockey_Robinson\/status\/1081754344893014016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h1>Wins Gold at World Junior Championship<\/h1>\n<p>In a hard-fought, fast-paced game, the WJC finally comes to a thrilling conclusion. Coming into the gold medal game, USA was ranked first in the tournament on the power play. However, after five opportunities, Finland&#8217;s penalty kill was stifling.<\/p>\n<h2>First Period<\/h2>\n<p>At 10:15 in the first round, a scramble in front of the crease saw <strong>Oliver Wahlstrom<\/strong> seemingly put Team USA up 1-0. It was immediately waved off and after much review, the call stood. The goal was disallowed due to <strong>Sasha Chmelevski<\/strong> being held in the crease despite backing out of the blue paint prior to the puck entering the net.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Team USA&#39;s disallowed goal at <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WJC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WJC<\/a> is covered under <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/IIHF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#IIHF<\/a> rules 184.i and 186.iv, related to players in the goal crease <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IIHFHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@IIHFHockey<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/iihf_wjc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@iihf_wjc<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/05xGjIZBeb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/05xGjIZBeb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ScoutingTheRefs\/status\/1081728267026075648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Finnish captain <strong>Aarne Talvitie<\/strong> went into the boards awkwardly. While battling for the puck with USA&#8217;s captain <strong>Mikey Anderson<\/strong>, Talvitie sustained a leg injury he&#8217;d carefully skate off with. He came back to the bench but did not skate for the remainder of the period.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Here&#39;s the leg injury that took Aarne Talvitie out of the game for now. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WJC2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WJC2019<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/szMoFMq7ix\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/szMoFMq7ix<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SEllisHockey\/status\/1081730183063920641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>A subsequent USA power play quickly followed by one for Finland both came up fruitless. Despite a few solid opportunities on special teams America recorded nine shots to Finland&#8217;s 13.\u00a0Both teams headed to the locker rooms scoreless.<\/p>\n<h2>Second Period<\/h2>\n<p>After two more chances on the man advantage, Team USA still could not put one past goaltender <strong>Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen<\/strong>. Finland&#8217;s goalie was as dominant as their penalty kill. However, it was their power play that finally broke open the scoring. American forward <strong>Evan Barratt<\/strong>&#8216;s penalty for goalie interference gave the Fins the chance they were looking for. Off the faceoff, defenseman <strong>Oskari Laaksonen<\/strong> found his fellow blueliner <strong>Jesse Ylonen<\/strong> open for the one timer. Ylonen fired a rocket past US goaltender Cayden Primeau to put Finland up 1-0.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jesse Ylonen right off of the faceoff and his one-timer makes it 1-0 on the PP. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WJC2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WJC2019<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Mx3089945t\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Mx3089945t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SEllisHockey\/status\/1081736994248712201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Each team had further quality chances both at even strength and on their power plays. USA prevented all shots on their opponents&#8217; final power play before the end of the second period. Nevertheless, each goalie came up huge and kept the short lead manageable. After 40 minutes of play, Finland maintained their shot advantage with 22 to USA&#8217;s 17.<\/p>\n<h2>Third Period<\/h2>\n<p>In the final period of regulation, Finland continued their dominance. Forward Rasmus Kupari lobbed a shot towards the net. Primeau couldn&#8217;t see the puck before it ended up behind him extending the lead to two for the guys in blue.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Well placed shot by Finland and they go up 2-0. It will take a monumental effort by \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 now. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ioVk23DbEM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/ioVk23DbEM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Buccigross\/status\/1081748060097691648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>USA had their backs against the wall. Trailing 2-0, however, they never slowed down. Following a multitude of solid chances, Chmelevski finally got America on the board. With 12:59 left in the third period, he picked up the puck in the slot, made some nifty moves, and lost the puck. Never giving up on the play, the forward threw it on net and finally put one past Luukkonen.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A minute after the Latvala goal, Chmelevski breaks through to pull Team USA to within one. 2-1 game in the 3rd. \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddee<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WJC2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WJC2019<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WorldJuniors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WorldJuniors<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USAWJC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#USAWJC<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nOfw497heI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/nOfw497heI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stefan Kubus (@StefanKubus) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/StefanKubus\/status\/1081748782209994752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Chmelevski wasn&#8217;t about to stop there. Shortly after, he fed defenseman Josh Norris with a beautiful backhand pass across the ice. Norris one-timed the puck into a wide open net and tied the game. Two goals within a minute and 46 seconds kept the game tied late.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Josh Norris from Chmelevski. 2-2. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WJC2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WJC2019<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8y0N4vm7cQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/8y0N4vm7cQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SEllisHockey\/status\/1081749439658819584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It was not enough as Kakko found a winner late.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Tournament awards went to:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ryan Poehling,<\/strong> USA (Top Forward of the Tourney, Tournament MVP)<br \/>\n<strong>Alexander Romanov<\/strong>, Russia (Top Defenceman of the Tourney)<br \/>\n<strong>Pyotr Kochetkov<\/strong>, Russia (Top Goaltender of the Tourney)<\/p>\n<h3>Tournament All-Stars<\/h3>\n<p>G <strong>Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen<\/strong> &#8211; Finland<br \/>\nD <strong>Alexander Romanov\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; Russia<br \/>\nD <strong>Erik Brannstrom<\/strong> &#8211; Sweden<br \/>\nF <strong>Grigori Denisenko\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; Russia<br \/>\nF <strong>Phillipp Kurashev<\/strong> &#8211; Switzerland<br \/>\nF <strong>Ryan Poehling<\/strong> &#8211; USA<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"lQ2JmuIZTepuPm4Yb3pf-g\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/1077948850\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'lQ2JmuIZTepuPm4Yb3pf-g',sig:'XzunmVfTfYhVydsKVFaYdigFLMQ_3p4vBjgkKWYavSI=',w:'594px',h:'360px',items:'1077948850',caption: true ,tld:'ca',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Team Finland has won the 2019 World Junior Championship. It is their third gold medal since 2013. Team USA receives their first silver medal since 1997. 2019 NHL Draft Prospect Kaapo Kakko scored the winning goal with 1:26 left to play in the third period. It was Kakko&#8217;s second goal and fifth point of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2461,"featured_media":39827,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,304,34,1279,3462,309],"tags":[3436,3540,3503,2738,3508,2138,946,951,5726,617,1637],"class_list":["post-39817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-international-hockey","category-news","category-nhl-draft","category-nhl-prospects","category-nhl-top-prospects","tag-alexander-romanov","tag-cayden-primeau","tag-jack-hughes","tag-jesse-ylonen","tag-kaapo-kakko","tag-quinn-hughes","tag-ryan-poehling","tag-sasha-chmelevski","tag-team-finland","tag-team-usa","tag-ukko-pekka-luukkonen"],"modified_by":"Ben Kerr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2461"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39817"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39817\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}