Finland's Rasmus Ristolainen spoiled the party in 2014--can Sweden finally win gold at home in 2024?
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Andre Ringuette
The World Junior Championship is back in Sweden, one of hockey’s great nations, and while the tournament promises to be wonderful in every way, there is a little matter of winning on home ice that the Swedes would like to take care of this time.
You see, in six previous hostings, they have managed three medals—two silver (1993, 2014) and one bronze (1979). The top of the podium has proved frustratingly elusive.
The first time the U20 came to Sweden was early on, the third edition of the tournament, in 1979, in Karlstad and Karlskoga, about halfway between Gothenburg and Stockholm to the north. That year the gold medal came down to the final game of a round-robin medal round, and Sweden lost to the Soviet Union, 7-5. The game was tied 4-4 after two periods, and although Thomas Steen had a hat trick, Alexander Gerasimov had a goal and three assists to lead his team to victory. That was the year goalie Pelle Lindbergh was named Directorate Award Best Goalie, but his stellar play was just that little bit short.
Five years later, the juniors were back, this time in Norrkoping and Nykoping, two cities again between Gothenburg and Stockholm, but south. The tournament format was a simple round robin among the eight teams, but the hosts managed to win only three of that number and finished a disappointing fifth.
It wasn’t until nine years later the U20 returned, this time to Gavle, due north of Stockholm near the Gulf of Bothnia. The Swedes finished the tournament with a sound, 5-1, win over Russia, and tied Canada atop the standings, both teams with 12 points each. But Sweden’s fate had been decided earlier when Canada defeated the hosts, 5-4, thanks to a Tyler Wright goal early in the third period of that game. That result proved to be the tie-breaker, giving Canada gold. But 1993 was a special tournament for the Swedes because Peter Forsberg set a record with 31 points in seven games, including ten in a 20-1 drubbing of Japan. It remains a record, and it will take a special player, indeed, to equal that achievement.
Seven years later, Skelleftea and Umea were the hosts, towns more than 600 kilometres north of Stockholm along the east coast. Although the Sedin twins were the talk of the tournament, the playoffs ended in disappointment after a 5-1 loss to the United States in the quarter-finals. Peter Messa scored the only goal for Sweden in that game, the final U20 appearance for the Sedins before moving to Vancouver and starring in the NHL.
Fast forward another seven years to Leksand and Mora, due west of Gavle, and another close call that went the wrong way for Sweden. This time it was a 2-1 loss to the U.S. in the bronze-medal game. Erik Johnson broke a 1-1 tie midway through the second period, but try as they might Sweden couldn’t tie the score in the last half of the game, sealing a fourth-place finish.
Most recently, Sweden hosted the 2014 World Juniors, and this was a heartbreaker. They beat Slovakia and Russia in the playoffs to advance to the gold-medal game, where they faced nemesis Finland for all the glory. Finland led 2-1 in the third, but Christian Djoos tied the game midway through the final period to force overtime. Rasmus Ristolainen spoiled the party, though, scoring the golden goal at 9:42 of the fourth period. Another Forsberg, Filip, was named Directorate Award Best Forward for Sweden.
And so we arrive at the 2024 tournament, and the Swedes have started with a sound 6-0 win over Latvia. But there is much to do yet. Sweden, as always, is a contender, but if they are to win gold they must not only conquer all challengers but also vanquish the ghosts of Christmases past.
You see, in six previous hostings, they have managed three medals—two silver (1993, 2014) and one bronze (1979). The top of the podium has proved frustratingly elusive.
The first time the U20 came to Sweden was early on, the third edition of the tournament, in 1979, in Karlstad and Karlskoga, about halfway between Gothenburg and Stockholm to the north. That year the gold medal came down to the final game of a round-robin medal round, and Sweden lost to the Soviet Union, 7-5. The game was tied 4-4 after two periods, and although Thomas Steen had a hat trick, Alexander Gerasimov had a goal and three assists to lead his team to victory. That was the year goalie Pelle Lindbergh was named Directorate Award Best Goalie, but his stellar play was just that little bit short.
Five years later, the juniors were back, this time in Norrkoping and Nykoping, two cities again between Gothenburg and Stockholm, but south. The tournament format was a simple round robin among the eight teams, but the hosts managed to win only three of that number and finished a disappointing fifth.
It wasn’t until nine years later the U20 returned, this time to Gavle, due north of Stockholm near the Gulf of Bothnia. The Swedes finished the tournament with a sound, 5-1, win over Russia, and tied Canada atop the standings, both teams with 12 points each. But Sweden’s fate had been decided earlier when Canada defeated the hosts, 5-4, thanks to a Tyler Wright goal early in the third period of that game. That result proved to be the tie-breaker, giving Canada gold. But 1993 was a special tournament for the Swedes because Peter Forsberg set a record with 31 points in seven games, including ten in a 20-1 drubbing of Japan. It remains a record, and it will take a special player, indeed, to equal that achievement.
Seven years later, Skelleftea and Umea were the hosts, towns more than 600 kilometres north of Stockholm along the east coast. Although the Sedin twins were the talk of the tournament, the playoffs ended in disappointment after a 5-1 loss to the United States in the quarter-finals. Peter Messa scored the only goal for Sweden in that game, the final U20 appearance for the Sedins before moving to Vancouver and starring in the NHL.
Fast forward another seven years to Leksand and Mora, due west of Gavle, and another close call that went the wrong way for Sweden. This time it was a 2-1 loss to the U.S. in the bronze-medal game. Erik Johnson broke a 1-1 tie midway through the second period, but try as they might Sweden couldn’t tie the score in the last half of the game, sealing a fourth-place finish.
Most recently, Sweden hosted the 2014 World Juniors, and this was a heartbreaker. They beat Slovakia and Russia in the playoffs to advance to the gold-medal game, where they faced nemesis Finland for all the glory. Finland led 2-1 in the third, but Christian Djoos tied the game midway through the final period to force overtime. Rasmus Ristolainen spoiled the party, though, scoring the golden goal at 9:42 of the fourth period. Another Forsberg, Filip, was named Directorate Award Best Forward for Sweden.
And so we arrive at the 2024 tournament, and the Swedes have started with a sound 6-0 win over Latvia. But there is much to do yet. Sweden, as always, is a contender, but if they are to win gold they must not only conquer all challengers but also vanquish the ghosts of Christmases past.