Finland and the United States faced off in the first game of the 2022 World Junior pre-tournament schedule on Thursday afternoon.
Finland took a 1-0 lead in the first period and also saw defenceman Ruben Rafkin receive a five-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing USA forward Brett Berard.
#NYR prospect Brett Berard to the locker room after this knee-on-knee from Ruben Rafkin. 5 + the game for Rafkin. pic.twitter.com/AeXHnuyJ3A— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) December 23, 2021
The United States would storm back to make it a 3-1 game, but then they found themselves in penalty trouble. Forward Red Savage got a five-minute major and a game misconduct for elbowing Finland forward Joakim Kemell.
Joakim Kemell takes a hit to the head. #WJC2022 #2022NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/AuADR8i0JB— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) December 23, 2021
On the five-minute major, Finland would score twice, late in the third period to tie the game up at 3-3, forcing overtime. In overtime, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen would score the winner, as Finland came from 3-1 down to complete the comeback.
🇫🇮 @leijonat just cemented their #powerplay power with a 4-3 win over @usahockey in #WorldJuniors exhibition action.
Roni Hirvonen scores the #OT winner. Check out one of his best goals from 2021. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/GaY1zA5ecu— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 23, 2021
The IIHF Disciplinary Committee will likely take a look at both the Rafkin and Savage incidents to see if they are worthy of supplemental discipline.
Finland will open their 2022 tournament on December 26th at 2pm ET/12pm MT (local) against Germany, while the United States will play 9:30pm ET/7:30pm MT, also on Boxing Day, against Slovakia.
