Sweden beats Finland 7-1, advances to world junior hockey semifinals

Sweden advances to world junior semifinals

REGINA, Saskatchewan — Florida draft pick Jacob Markstrom made 39 saves and Sweden beat Finland 7-1 on Thursday to advance to the world junior hockey semifinals.

“It was a good start for me,” Markstrom said. “I got a lot of shots and I felt good out there and I really enjoy it. That’s what I’m there for. I don’t think a lot, I just go out there and try and take the puck. It’s the best thing.”

Jacob Josefson had two goals, and Andre Petersson, Dennis Rasmussen, Mattias Tedenby, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson and Marcus Johansson also scored for Sweden (4-0). Teemu Hartikainen scored for Finland (2-2), which will play in the quarterfinals.

In the late Group B game in Regina, Vladimir Tarasenko had two goals and an assist, and Igor Bobkkov made 39 saves in Russia’s 5-2 victory over the Czech Republic.

Russia (3-1) earned a quarterfinal spot, while the Czech Republic (1-3) dropped into the relegation round.

In Group A in Saskatoon, Nino Niederreiter scored twice, and Benjamin Conz stopped 39 shots to help Switzerland beat Slovakia 4-1.

Switzerland (2-2) earned a quarterfinal spot.

Richard Panik scored for Slovakia (1-3).

In the late game, the United States faced five-time defending champion Canada for the top spot in Group A.