Players on Team Sweden and Team Finland are expecting an emotional game in Helsinki today as the Nordic neighbours do battle for a berth in the gold-medal game. "It's one of the biggest rivalries in the world in both hockey and team sports," said Finnish head coach Jukka Jalonen. "You can't imagine a bigger game at this stage of this tournament." The Swedes vividly remember what happened two years ago in Malmo, Sweden when Finland broke the heart of the host nation in overtime of the championship match. "They stole our gold in Sweden and we're here to take it back now in Helsinki," said Adrian Kempe. But the Finns also have a very short memory. "Sweden remembers what happened two years ago in Malmo so they're going to be hunting us, but we lost to them last year (in the quarterfinals) and we don't want it to happen again," said Mikko Rantanen. Finland's games are getting huge TV ratings in the country and the biggest audience yet is expected on Monday. "It's pretty intense between our countries," said Finland's Patrik Laine. "We're competing in everything and if you've never watched a game between us then you have to watch at least one game."

The line of Jesse Puljujärvi, Sebastian Aho and Laine have combined for 15 goals in five games and figure to play a key role in the game. Swedish head coach Rikard Grönborg said his strategy for slowing them down is simple. "By keeping the puck," he said. "We've been moving the puck real well and we intend to keep the puck and it will be tough for them to score goals if we have the puck." Sweden has allowed the fewest shots in the tournament (22.8 per game). "It's hard for teams to score on us, because you have to go through five guys all the time and that's a key part of our game plan," said Grönborg, who lauded his forwards for back-checking with purpose when his team does lose control of the puck. And when the Finns do get a chance, the Swedes believe Linus Soderstrom (.952 save percentage) will be equal to the task. "We have a great goalie," said Swedish captain Andreas Englund, "and that gives us an advantage, no question about that, we feel really secure with Linus back there."

Sweden will be without one key contributor as Adam Ollas Mattsson is out for the tournament after getting injured in the quarterfinals. "He played a pretty big part of our defensive corps so of course that will be a bump in the road," Grönborg admitted, "but at the same time we have six strong defensemen so we feel like we're set there as well." 

The 2016 world junior championship has become an incredible showcase for draft-eligible dynamos who have had scouts drooling pretty much every game. And Alexander Nylander admits he's very excited to go up against Puljujarvi and Laine. Is he a better prospect than the two Finns? "That's what I'm trying to prove," Nylander said with no hesitation. Nylander was supposed to ride shotgun to his big brother William at this tournament, but instead he has led the way for Sweden with nine points. And yet he's not completely satisfied with his play. "I got more, though," he claimed. Really? "Yeah." How much more? "A little bit," he said with a wry grin. 

While Nylander was upping the ante, Jalonen was downplaying expectations for his youngsters. He stressed the need for balanced scoring. "It's very important," the Finnish bench boss said. "It's not easy to score two or three goals in every game. We don't expect Aho's line to score all the time. Somebody else has to step up." That somebody could be Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Kasperi Kapanen, who has just one goal and one assist in the tournament. The son of Sami Kapanen believes he's played well, but for whatever reason the puck isn't going in. His old man has helped keep him calm. "He just told me to enjoy it, he knows I'm a great hockey player, he just keeps on reminding me to stay patient and not get frustrated with myself," said Kapanen. "It's nice to have him talk to me after games and tell me some stuff and give me some pointers. He gives me my space too, which is good." What has his dad taught him about the Sweden-Finland rivalry? "A lot of stuff. Some stuff I can't say on TV," Kapanen said with a smile. "Once you win the game it feels great, but if you lose, it feels even worse." Kapanen said his dad's best moment in the rivalry was likely helping Finland win the 1995 World Championship in Stockholm over the Swedes, which was the country's first title. "He hasn't shown me that gold medal yet," Kapanen said, "but hopefully I'll bring this gold medal home and he can show me his."

While some North American based players find it hard adjusting to the bigger international ice surface, Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads, OHL) and Kempe (Ontario Reign, AHL) have very much enjoyed the switch. "I can skate a little bit more with the puck here than in the A and that's one of my biggest strengths so it's good for me," Kempe explained. Nylander says it's easier to manoeuvre, especially on the man advantage. "On the power play you have a lot more room," said Nylander. "It's a little bit easier. You have a lot more time."

Laine created a buzz when he guaranteed Finland would beat Sweden shortly after his team's quarterfinal triumph. He refused to back down from that boast on Sunday and you better believe the Swedish players heard about it. "I think the opposite," Nylander said. "We're going to beat them." Added Kempe, "They have a good confidence and we have a good confidence too. We know we can beat them."