In a dominant display of skill and teamwork, Finland defeated Latvia 8-0 in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship on Sunday. The game, held at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, showcased Finland's offensive power and defensive strength. Here are three key takeaways from the game:

1. Finland's Offensive Firepower:

Finland's offense was relentless throughout the game, scoring three goals in the first period and continuing to add to their lead in the subsequent periods. Emil Hemming led the charge with two goals, while Heikki Ruohonen contributed a goal and two assists. Jasper Kuhta, Roope Vesterinen, Lasse Boelius, and Joona Saarelainen also found the back of the net, demonstrating the depth of Finland's offensive talent. The Finns outshot Latvia 41-7, highlighting their dominance in puck possession and offensive zone time. The top Finnish line was bolstered by the return of Julius Miettinen, a Seattle Kraken prospect, who lined up with Hemming and Vanhanen. Their chemistry was evident early on, as Hemming's first goal came off a dish from Vanhanen.

2. Stifling Defense and Goaltending:

Finland's defense was just as impressive as its offense, limiting Latvia to only seven shots on goal throughout the entire game. Petteri Rimpinen, the Finnish goaltender, recorded his second career World Junior shutout, stopping all seven shots he faced. Rimpinen, who was named Best Goalie and a tournament all-star during last year's silver medal run, was a calming presence in net, ensuring that Latvia had no chance of mounting a comeback. The Finnish defense was particularly effective at keeping Latvia's forwards to the outside and preventing them from generating quality scoring chances.

3. Latvia's Struggles and Need for Rebound:

Latvia struggled to generate offense against Finland's tight-checking defense and found themselves hemmed in their own zone for long stretches of the game. Goaltender Mikus Vecvanags faced constant pressure, stopping 33 of 41 shots. Latvia's assistant captain, Krists Retenais, acknowledged the team's tough game against Canada the previous night and emphasized the need to forget the loss to Finland and focus on their upcoming game against Denmark. Coach Artis Abols echoed this sentiment, stating the importance of recovery and preparation for the crucial match against Denmark. Latvia's last goal against Finland was on August 9, 2022, and they will be looking to break that streak in their future encounters.

Overall, the game was a comprehensive victory for Finland, showcasing their strengths in all areas of the ice. For Latvia, the focus shifts to regrouping and preparing for their next challenge against Denmark. Finland will face Czechia next.