After 12 days of some incredible action in the Preliminary Round at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, we’ve officially reached the Playoff Round and we’re down to eight nations vying for the gold medal and by the end of Thursday, only four would still be standing.
There were some intriguing matchups on Thursday in Stockholm with the United States taking on Finland, while the co-hosts Sweden faced a Czechia squad that eliminated them in the semifinals last year. Over in Herning, there were two David vs Goliath battles as Group B winners Switzerland took on Austria, who wasn’t appeared in the Quarterfinals since 1994, while in the late game, Group A winners Canada faced the co-hosts, Denmark.
United States (5) vs Finland (2) F
The first game of the day in Stockholm saw the United States, who haven’t won gold at the IIHF World Championship since 1933 (Olympic gold in 1960 also considered part of the WC’s), take on a Finnish squad that’s had a ton of recent success at the tournament, winning it all in 2019 and 2022.
Less than five minutes into the first period, while on the power play, the United States struck first thanks to Conor Garland, who picked up his third of the tournament. Later on in the opening frame, the Finns would tie it up, with Seattle Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen scoring his seventh of the World Championship, making it 1-1.
Finland got their first, and only, lead of the night less than eight minutes into the second period as Patrik Puistola put them up 2-1. Seven minutes later, Minnesota Wild top prospect Zeev Buium tied the game for the Americans before Conor Garland scored his second of the game, giving his nation a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.
In the final period, the United States added two more, with Shane Pinto and Clayton Keller scoring their first and third goals of the tournament, respectively. Finland was out of gas in the third, firing just six shots on American netminder Jeremy Swayman as the United States would go on to win this one by a score of 5-2.
Scoring Summary:
United States
- Conor Garland (3). Assists: Logan Cooley (5), Zach Werenski (4).
- Zeev Buium (1). Assists: Matty Beniers (2).
- Conor Garland (4). Assist: Tage Thompson (3).
- Shane Pinto (1). Assists: Will Smith (6), Cutter Gauthier (4).
- Clayton Keller (3). Assist: Shane Pinto (6).
Finland
- Eeli Tolvanen (7). Assists: Juho Lammikko (2), Teuvo Teravainen (9).
- Patrik Puistola (4). Assists: Teuvo Teravainen (10), Mikko Lehtonen (5).
Switzerland (6) vs Austria (0) F
For the first time since 1994, Austria has made it to the Playoff Round at the IIHF World Championship. It’s an incredible feat for a nation that sits 13th in the IIHF rankings and were relegated just six years ago, although due to COVID-19 and the Russia/Belarus ban, haven’t played a game in Division 1A since 2017.
On the other side of the ice today facing the Austrians was a Swiss team that was one of the most dominate groups throughout the preliminary round, winning six games, with their only loss coming in overtime, while scoring 34 goals. It wasn’t going to be an easy task for Austria tonight as they had their hands full and they would ultimately go on to be blown out in this one.
Thanks to goals from Christoph Bertschy, Timo Meier, Ken Jager, Kevin Fiala, Sandro Schmid and Simon Knak, along with a 13-save shutout from Leonardo Genoni, the Swiss would win 6-0 and book their ticket to the Semifinals for the second consecutive year and third time since 2018.
The Austrians have a lot to be proud of tonight and will return to the IIHF World Championship next year in Switzerland with motivation to return to the playoff round in back-to-back years for the first time in their program’s history.
Scoring Summary:
Switzerland
- Christoph Bertschy (1). Assists: Andrea Glauser (2), Leonardo Genoni (1).
- Timo Meier (3). Assists: Kevin Fiala (6), Tyler Moy (7).
- Ken Jager (1). Assists: Nino Niederreiter (2), Simon Knak (4).
- Kevin Fiala (3). Assists: Nino Niederreiter (3), Dean Kukan (7).
- Sandro Schmid (2). Assists: Andrea Glauser (3), Tyler Moy (8).
- Simon Knak (1). Assists: Ken Jager (3), Christian Marti (6).
Sweden (5) vs Czechia (2) F
For the first time since the Semifinals of last year’s World Championship, Sweden took on Czechia as they looked for revenge after their 2024 loss and the Swedes would be doing so on home ice at Avicii Arena in nation’s capital, Stockholm.
The crowd was rocking, as was expected, and it helped propel the Swedes to a three-goal first period, with Leo Carlsson opening the scoring just under 13 minutes in. Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond scored a pair in the opening frame, with his second of the contest coming with 28 seconds left in the period, giving Sweden a 3-0 lead.
Early in the second frame, the Czechs would attempt to get back into it, as 39-year-old Roman Cervenka scored his sixth of the tournament to cut Sweden’s lead to two. Ten minutes later, Leo Carlsson would double down himself, restoring Sweden’s two-goal lead, while scoring his fourth of this year’s World Championship.
Michael Spacek would get the Czechs on the board again in the third period, but Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg would ice it with an empty netter, sending Sweden to their second straight Semifinal appearance after four early exits at the tournament including a ninth place finish in 2021. Sweden will face the United States on Saturday for a spot in the Gold Medal Game, which is set for Sunday at 2:20 pm ET.
Scoring Summary:
Sweden
- Leo Carlsson (3). Assists: Rasmus Andersson (3), Mike Zibanejad (1).
- Lucas Raymond (3). Assist: Rasmus Sandin (1).
- Lucas Raymond (4). Assist: Rasmus Sandin (2).
- Leo Carlsson (4). Assists: Mika Zibanejad (2), Marcus Johansson (4).
- Filip Forsberg (1). Assists: Marcus Pettersson (4), Mikael Backlund (5).
Czechia
- Roman Cervenka (6). Assists: Martin Necas (4), David Pastrnak (9).
- Michael Spacek (1). Assists: Daniel Vozenilek (4), Jiri Tichacek (1).
Canada (1) vs Denmark (2) F
Canada came into Thursday’s game looking for their tenth straight trip to the Semifinals and standing in their way was a Danish team coming off an emotional win over Germany on Tuesday to send them to their first appearance in the Playoff Round at the World Championship since 2016.
To the surprise of everyone, there was zero action in the first 40 minutes of the game, with Canada outshooting Denmark 30-11, with Danish netminder and former Montreal Canadiens prospect Frederik Dichow playing lights out the entire night, which drew plenty of praise from the fans at Jyske Bank Boxen, who chanted his name from start to finish.
Just over five minutes into the third period, Canada finally broke through with Travis Sanheim scoring his second of the tournament after a nifty passing play from Sidney Crosby and Travis Konecny. Canada came less than three minutes away from their tenth straight Semifinal appearance and then Danes took over.
Denmark fired 22 shots on Jordan Binnington in the third period alone and he was great for Canada all night, but with the goalie pulled and the extra attacker on the ice, Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers fired home his second goal in as many games to tie the game for his nation, sending the Jyske Bank Boxen into a frenzy.
It appeared the game would be heading to overtime, but the Danes would have other plans as Nicklas Jensen picked up a loose puck along the wall and threw it towards the net, where Nick Olesen – who deserves to be in contention for the Tournament All-Star Team – outwaited Binnington and roofed to give Denmark a 2-1.
Canada would try to get back in it, but it was too late as Denmark held on for their first-ever win in the Playoff Round of the IIHF World Championship, pulling off one of the biggest upset in international hockey history. With the win, Denmark are now guaranteed their best finish in tournament history. Standing between them and a trip to the Gold Medal Game is Switzerland, who they’ll face in Stockholm on Saturday.
Scoring Summary:
Canada
- Travis Sanheim (2). Assists: Sidney Crosby (8), Travis Konecny (10).
Denmark
- Nikolaj Ehlers (2). Assists: Markus Lauridsen (3), Patrick Russell (4).
- Nick Olesen (4). Assist: Nicklas Jensen (7).
My Three Stars of the Quarterfinals
- Connor Garland (United States) – 2 goals in win vs Finland.
- Frederik Dichow (Denmark) – 39 saves on 40 shots in win vs Canada.
- Leo Carlsson (Sweden) – 2 goals in win vs Czechia.
Quarterfinal Schedule (Saturday, May 24th)
- Sweden vs United States (8:20 am ET)
- Switzerland vs Denmark (12:20 pm ET)
Photo Credit: IIHF.