A berth in the gold medal match at the 2016 World Championship is on the line Saturday as Finland faces Russia. Russia opened up the scoring, but thanks to a beautiful pass by 2016 draft eligible prospect Patrik Laine, Finlanf grabbed the lead in the second period.
The goal was scored by Jussi Jokinen, his third of the tournament. But the real highlight was Laine, working near the goal, with three Russians closing in on him, threading the needle to hit Jokinen on the tape for a one-timer past Sergei Bobrovsky.
Watch the play here.
Jussi Jokinen scores 2-1 for Finland after a beautiful pass by Patrik Laine. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/CRev3QvbO5
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) May 21, 2016
The apple gives Laine seven goals and five assists through nine games. He now has sole possession of the second most points ever scored by an 18-year-old skater at the World Championship. The record is currently held by Sidney Crosby.
Both he and Sebastian Aho are looking to win gold at both the World Junior Championship and World Championship in the same year. Finland would exit the second period with a 3-1 lead. Aho scored two of those goals.