The semi-final against Finland was agonizing to say the least. A draw after regular time, goalless extra time and then a series of penalties.
In the eighth round of penalties, Anton Frondell finally managed to decide the match.
"It probably clouded my vision a little when I put it away. It's just luck," he tells SVT.
"We told each other that we just have to love the situation. A semi-final on penalties, this is what we've dreamed of since we were little."
“Tried to reset”
Love Härenstam was also a hero in goal for Sweden, saving 33 of 36 shots. In the penalty shootout, Finland only managed to score one penalty out of eight attempts.
"I just tried to reset after every penalty, stay in the bubble and go out with confidence for every round," Love Härenstam tells TT.
"It feels great that we now get to play for the gold."
Early goal
Sweden got off to a flying start in the match, scoring 1-0 after just 36 seconds through Linus Eriksson. Despite the early goal, Sweden struggled against Finland, who initially had a clear advantage. After 16 minutes, Atte Joki scored a well-deserved equaliser.
However, Sweden's junior team managed to get back up in the second period and went ahead twice, first 2–1 on a goal from Ivar Stenberg and then 3–2 on a goal from Eddie Genborg. During the goalless third period, Finland equalised again, this time through Joona Saarelainen with six minutes remaining in the match.
Neither team lacked chances in extra time, but the two goalkeepers kept it scoreless.
The Swedish hockey juniors will face the Czech Republic in the final; the Czechs defeated Canada in the other semi-final.
This year's JVM will be held in the U.S. state of Minnesota.
