Host Finland advances to world junior hockey final with 2-1 win over Sweden

HELSINKI - Antti Kalapudas scored the winning goal Monday as host Finland advanced to the final of the world junior hockey championship with a 2-1 win over archrival Sweden.

Kalapudas scored on a second-period power play to send Finland to its second championship final in three years. The Finns beat host Sweden 3-2 in the 2014 gold-medal game.

The winning goal came with Anton Karlsson in the penalty box for hitting a Finnish player in the head. Karlsson was assessed a two-minute minor and a 10-minute misconduct.

Roope Hintz also scored while Kasperi Kapanen and team captain Mikko Rantanen added two assists each for Finland.

Rasmus Asplund had the lone goal for Sweden.

Kaapo Kahkonen made 21 saves for Finland, which will play the winner of the other semifinal between the United States and Russia for gold.

Linus Soderstrom stopped 26 shots for Sweden, which will play the loser of the other semifinal for bronze.