Game Recap: Finland Tops Germany 3-1 in IIHF World Championship Opener

Finland beats Germany 3min 2026 IIHF World Championship opener

Leijonat's “kultajahti” began with a 3-1 victory against Germany at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. See how Barkov, Lundell, and Räty led Finland while Moritz Seider's heroics kept Germany close.

Finland opens the 2026 Mens Worlds with a 3-1 win over Germany in Zurich. Barkov returns, Seider's goal-line save goes viral, and Raty seals it late...

The 2026 IIHF World Championship got off to a strong start for Leijonat on Friday, May 15, as Finland defeated Germany 3-1 in preliminary round action at Hallenstadion in Zurich.  

First Period Fireworks, Seider Stands Tall

Finland wasted no time getting on the board. On the power play at 8:33 of the first period, Aleksander Barkov fed Anton Lundell for a one-timer that beat Germany’s netminder to make it 1-0. The goal marked Barkov’s first competitive game since the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, and he looked “strong” and “fast” according to Lundell.  

First 2026 #MensWorlds win in the books for @leijonat 🇫🇮💪 #IIHF

Game Recap 🔗 https://t.co/Av9Slj5vJZ pic.twitter.com/xaZDwxOw3B

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 15, 2026

Germany nearly answered later in the period, but defenseman Moritz Seider made what Magenta Sport called a “Monster-Save” — diving across the crease to keep the puck off the goal line. The play went to video review, confirming Seider prevented a goal and kept Germany alive. Despite the heroics, Finland carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.  

Germany Strikes Back, Finland Responds

The middle frame stayed scoreless until Germany found the equalizer. A slick one-two passing play saw Leon Gawanke set up Stefan Loibl for a clean finish, tying it 1-1.  

But Finland’s depth took over in the third. Jesse Puljujarvi tucked away a goal to restore the lead. Then, with under five minutes left, Saku Maenalanen forced a turnover and fed Aatu Raty, whose quick shot from in front sealed it 3-1. Fans credited Raty’s effort as the difference-maker

The win gives Finland its first points of the 2026 Mens Worlds campaign. For Germany, it was a “defeat despite a strong goalie performance,” as SPORT1 put it. The Germans showed fight - Seider’s goal-line heroics went viral - but Finland’s special teams and late pressure proved too much.