Finland claim fifth IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship crown

ZURICH: Finland captured the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship title after defeating hosts Switzerland 1-0 in overtime on Sunday, breaking Swiss hearts for the third consecutive year in a world championship final.

Konsta Helenius scored the decisive goal 10 minutes and 42 seconds into sudden-death overtime, sealing Finland’s fifth world title in a tense and closely contested gold-medal game.

Switzerland, who lost last year’s final to the United States in overtime, were denied again despite strong home support, extending their wait for a first world championship crown after six appearances in the final.

Finland had a goal ruled out in the opening period for high sticking and were forced to defend through a difficult spell early in the second period after receiving two penalties late in the first. However, the Finns successfully killed both penalties to keep the game scoreless.

Neither side managed to break the deadlock during regulation time despite several chances in a tactical and physical contest, sending the championship game into three-on-three overtime.

Finland came close to scoring almost immediately when Jesse Puljujarvi struck the post. The match continued at a frantic pace until 20-year-old Helenius produced the breakthrough, skating across the ice before firing an unstoppable shot into the net and sparking wild celebrations among his teammates.

The victory handed Finland their fifth world championship title, while Switzerland remain without a gold medal despite reaching six finals.

Earlier in the day, Norway claimed their first-ever medal at the tournament by stunning Canada 3-2 in overtime in the bronze-medal game. Noah Steen scored the winner just over three minutes into the extra period, leaving the top-seeded Canadians without a medal.