Puljujarvi Doubles Up as Finland Stays Flawless, Downs Hungary 4-1

Finland stay perfect with win over Hungary

Jesse Puljujarvi netted twice to lead Finland to a 4-1 win over Hungary and keep their 100% record at the 2026 IIHF World Championships.

Puljujarvi scores twice as Finland beat Hungary at World Championships. Puljujarvi added his second on the power play to seal the result with 17 minutes left...

The 2026 IIHF World Championship rolled into day two in Zurich, and Jesse Puljujarvi decided to put on a show for his “home” crowd.

Finland made it two wins from two at this year’s tournament Saturday, taking care of Hungary 4-1 at Swiss Life Arena. And while it was officially a Finland road game, it sure didn’t feel like it for Puljujarvi.

A familiar rink, a familiar result

The Geneve-Servette forward is playing his club hockey in Switzerland right now, so the Swiss Life Arena ice is basically his office. He looked right at home. After a scoreless first period where both teams were feeling each other out, Finland blew it open in the second.  

Ville Heinola got the Finns on the board first, and then Puljujarvi made it 2-0 - his second goal in as many games this tournament. Hungary didn’t fold, though. Balazs Sebok pulled one back to make it 2-1 and give the underdogs some life.  

But Finland’s depth showed. Janne Kuokkanen answered right back to restore the two-goal cushion before the end of the second, making it 3-1. That’s how you kill momentum.  

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

The dagger on the PP

With 17 minutes left in the third, Finland went to the power play. Puljujarvi went to work again. His second of the afternoon made it 4-1 and that was all she wrote. Game over. Statement made.  

The 4-1 final keeps Finland perfect in Group A after their 3-1 win over Germany on Friday - a game where Puljujarvi also scored the winner. Two games, three goals. Not a bad start to Worlds for a guy still building back after double hip surgery in 2023.  

For Finland, it’s a business-like 2-0-0 start. They’ve outscored opponents 7-2 so far and look like the composed, structured Finnish team we’re used to seeing. Next up: a heavyweight tilt with Team USA on Monday.  

For Hungary, it’s an 0-2 hole in Group A. They showed flashes with Sebok’s goal, but Finland’s second-period surge was too much. They’ll regroup before facing Great Britain on May 19.