Sweden's junior hockey team showcased their dominance once again as they secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Latvia in the quarterfinals of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, held on January 5, 2025, in Ottawa. The victory propelled the Swedes to their fourth consecutive semifinal appearance, continuing their legacy within this prestigious tournament.
The match began with a flurry of action, as both teams vied for early control. Zeb Forsfjall opened the scoring for Sweden at 8:30 of the first period, deftly rushing down the left wing and beating Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs with a wrist shot under the glove. Just over one minute later, Buffalo Sabres prospect Anton Wahlberg extended Sweden's lead to 2-0, converting on a cross-ice pass for the one-timer, effectively setting the pace for the game.
Swedish momentum continued to build, and by the second period, Sweden struck again. Just past the halfway mark, David Edstrom scored on the power play, exploiting the rebound from Victor Eklund's shot. This goal, scored at 3:57, pushed Sweden's lead to 3-0 and elicited cheers from the crowd.
Latvia, facing the prospect of being overwhelmed, stepped up their game as Eriks Mateiko, who had been on fire throughout the tournament, delivered hope for his team. He pulled Latvia back within two goals with his first strike at 10:13 of the second period, beating Swedish goalie Melker Thelin with a shot from the top of the slot. Mateiko, who later added another goal with just 10 seconds left in the period, carved out his place as the tournament's top scorer with five goals, showcasing impressive skills and size.
Although Sweden outshot Latvia by 50 to 13, the Latvians put up quite the fight, largely thanks to Feldbergs' outstanding goaltending. Feldbergs, often under siege, made 47 saves over the course of the match, keeping Latvia within reach of the upset and earning the team’s player of the game honors. "This game could’ve been much higher scoring if it wasn’t for Feldbergs’ unbelievable stops and poise in the net," noted analysts commenting on his performance. His efforts were commendable, earning him close attention from NHL scouts.
The final period saw Latvia pull out all the stops. A desperate push with under two minutes to play had the Latvians pulling their goalie for the extra attacker, hoping to find the equalizer. Despite their valiant efforts, Sweden held on to secure their spot among the final four teams. The frustration was palpable as Latvia, who had previously shocked the tournament with their upset over Canada, could not overcome the hurdles posed by the seasoned Swedish side.
Coach Magnus Havelid expressed his pride in the team's performance, highlighting their continued focus on puck possession and defensive structures. Sweden has long been known for their strategic prowess, and they had demonstrated this once again throughout the game. Although pleased with their victory, the team remains committed to striving for their first gold medal since 2012.
Latvia, on the other hand, can take immense pride from their overall performance, especially being led by standout players like Mateiko. The forward’s monumental frame and playmaking capabilities have solidified his status within the tournament, signaling potential future success at higher levels. Despite the loss, this match marked Latvia's third participation in World Junior quarter-finals, adding to their growing experience on the international stage.
The future looks bright for both teams. Sweden will go on to face the winner of the United States vs. Switzerland match-up scheduled for January 6, 2025, vying to reclaim their position atop junior hockey. Latvia, meanwhile, has laid down the foundations for growth and success, one game at a time, building on their achievements and newfound confidence.
With Sweden continuing their historical performance at the World Juniors and Latvia gaining invaluable international experience, both teams look toward the future, reflecting the evolution of junior hockey on the world stage.