Finland Vs Latvia Result: Finland Stay Unbeaten at 2026 World Ice Hockey Championship

Finland crush Latvia

Finland bounced back from an early Latvia goal to win 7-1 and stay perfect in Group A of the 2026 IIHF World Championship.

After conceding after 10 seconds, Finland scored seven unanswered goals to beat Latvia and move closer to a quarter-final spot at the 2026 World Championship...

Finland made it four wins from four in Group A at the 2026 World Ice Hockey Championship after routing Latvia 7-1 in Zurich.

After beating Germany and Hungary, Finland set up a clash with the United States. They beat the reigning champions 6-2 to stay unbeaten before meeting a Latvia side that had won just one of its first three games.

Finland got an early shock when Latvia scored after just 10 seconds. Aleksandar Barkov was caught being too casual behind his own net, letting Sandis Valmanis steal the puck and feed Rudolfs Balcers for the opener.

Finland steadied themselves and equalized five minutes later. Henri Jokiharju’s shot from the left was saved, but the rebound fell to Hannes Bjorninen, who volleyed it home.

From that point it was all Finland. Latvia killed off an early power play after Arturs Andzans was called for interference, but they conceded again seconds after returning to full strength. Patrik Puistola fed Jokiharju, and this time his shot found the net.

Finland added some breathing room late in the first period when Bjorninen sent Saku Maenalanen in alone. Maenalanen finished cleanly to make it 3-1.

Barkov’s second period started badly too, as he was called for tripping in the opening minute. Finland made it 4-1 eight minutes later on the power play, with Saku Maenalanen turning provider this time and setting up Waltteri Merala to finish.

A flurry of late penalties left Latvia starting the third period down two men. Finland capitalized on the 5-on-3 when Barkov finally had a positive start to a period, feeding Mikael Granlund. His shot was saved, but Anton Lundell buried the rebound.

Even getting back to one man down didn’t help Latvia. Less than 30 seconds later they conceded another power-play goal. Mikko Lehtonen’s shot was blocked, but Patrik Puistola was there to poke home the loose puck.

Finland made it 7-1 in the sixth minute of the final period. Aatu Raty’s initial shot was saved by new Latvia goalie Gustavs Grigals, but he followed up and scored from his own rebound.

Four two-minute penalties against Finland in the last 14 minutes, two of them on Lundell, slowed things down. Even so, Antti Pennanen’s team came away with a convincing 7-1 win that puts them on the verge of quarter-final qualification. They sit second in the table behind Switzerland on goal difference.

Another game, another win for @leijonat 🇫🇮🙌 #MensWorlds

Game Recap 🔗 https://t.co/x3RmKDkW64 pic.twitter.com/HZBEtn4dpM

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 21, 2026

Latvia remain sixth, two points off fourth place. Their next game is against the USA, who currently hold that spot, on Saturday 23rd. Finland are back in action Friday 22nd against Great Britain.