HELSINKI – Antti Kalapudas scored the winning goal Monday as host Finland advanced to the final of the world junior hockey championship with a 2-1 win over archrival Sweden.
Kalapudas scored on a second-period power play to send Finland to its second championship final in three years. The Finns beat host Sweden 3-2 in the 2014 gold-medal game.
"It’s a great feeling," said Finland’s head coach Jukka Jalonen. "We work a lot and very hard to get to this point in the tournament. It’s been a great achievement but still we’re looking for more."
The Finns will face Russia, 2-1 winners over the United States in Monday’s late semifinal, for gold. Sweden and the Americans will face off for bronze.
The winning goal came with Anton Karlsson in the penalty box for hitting a Finnish player in the head. Karlsson was assessed a two-minute minor and a 10-minute misconduct.
Roope Hintz also scored while Kasperi Kapanen and team captain Mikko Rantanen added two assists each for Finland.
Rasmus Asplund had the lone goal for Sweden.
Kaapo Kahkonen made 21 saves for Finland.
Linus Soderstrom stopped 26 shots for Sweden.
