MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jasper Kuhta had three assists, including two from Roope Vesterinen, to help Finland beat Denmark 6-2 on Friday in the teams’ first game at the World Junior Championship.
Kutta is one of five players in the Finnish squad to score at least two points, joining Vestrinen, Aaron Kivihayu, Lese Bolius and Leo Tuva for a total of 12 players to score at least one point. Kuchta and Tuva both assisted Vestrinen to open the scoring in the first two minutes, and Oni Kalto scored the second goal 30 seconds later.
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After William Bundgaard scored for Denmark at 6:08 of the first period, Oliver Suvanto added a power-play goal for Finland four minutes later. Finland – last year’s silver medalists – had 20 shots on goal in the opening game, while Denmark had just two.
Athos Koivu, Jonna Sarelainen and Vestrinen each scored a goal with 8:39 left in the second quarter to give Finland a 6-1 lead.
At 2 minutes and 22 seconds into the third period, Anton Linde scored a powerful goal for Denmark. Anton Wilde saved 37 of 43 shots for Denmark (0.860 save percentage).
Denmark returns to the top division of the World Junior Championships for the first time since 2019. Last year the Danish team defeated Austria to win the Group IA championship.
On the weekend, the two teams will continue to play in Group B. Denmark will face the Czech Republic on Saturday and Finland will face Latvia on Sunday.