Finland's Jesse Puljujarvi celebrates a goal on Hungary with Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / ANDRE RINGUETTE
Two games, two wins – and Finland has that feel-good factor.
It’s been a little while since the Leijonat celebrated World Championship success, with no medals since a home-ice triumph in Tampere in 2022.
But Antti Penanen’s class of 2026 has made a solid start in Zurich with victories over Germany and Hungary in its first two games.
Much of the excitement in the camp revolves around Florida Panthers duo Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell. The Stanley Cup-winning duo would be a talking point on any team, but Barkov’s recovery from the injury that wiped out his 2025-26 NHL campaign merely added to the buzz.
And the man himself is feeling it too. “It’s amazing,” said the 30-year-old centre after that opening day win over the Germans. “I can’t even describe how great this is.”
There are no concerns about the ACL issue, either, as Barkov plays at a World Championship for the first time since winning silver in 2016. “I haven’t really gotten a chance to come here ever since,” he said. “But this time I was fully healed, fully ready to play and I’m really thankful for this chance to represent Finland.”
Lundell, 24, is also looking to add to a silver medal – in his case from 2021, his final season with HIFK before moving to Florida.
He started with a couple of points against Germany and is also enjoying the experience.
“It feels good,” he said. “Finnish guys, we always play together, play as a team. We don't give up. We are friends, and I think the team chemistry is something we build around, where we know each other from a young age.”
That camaraderie is obvious. Barkov on Lundell: “He’s a great overall player, he plays the game the right way every time he steps on the ice. It’s the same in Florida. I’m happy we’re here together and we’re lucky to have him on the team.”
Or Olli Maatta on Jesse Puljujarvi, who stepped up to replace Teuvo Teravainen after the Chicago Blackhawk picked up an injury in the opening game.
“I don't know if you'd say he 'filled in' [with Barkov],” said the experienced defender. “Really, he's been great all camp and in the very first game too. He's a big body and he goes in dirty areas on the ice, and that's where he gets his goals. Guys appreciated his job and his effort.”
Puljujarvi may have been thrust unexpectedly into the top line, but he has a big ambition for this tournament.
“In Finland, hockey is a big thing,” he said. “When guys put their bodies and their hearts on the ice, they want to make the fans smile. That's what we want to bring to Finland: happiness.”
However, with the greatest of respect to Finland’s early opponents, there are bigger challenges to come. The USA, defending champion, is up next, and host nation Switzerland also promises a tough test.
But this is a team looking to end a four-year wait for World Championship hardware, and eager to build on Olympic bronze back in February.
“I think every time we play, we're expecting to win,” added Maatta. “I know Olympic bronze is a big thing, but at the same time, I think we've got better [to give], that's a good thing for Finnish hockey too. We expect a lot of ourselves, and people expect a lot of us.”
It’s been a little while since the Leijonat celebrated World Championship success, with no medals since a home-ice triumph in Tampere in 2022.
But Antti Penanen’s class of 2026 has made a solid start in Zurich with victories over Germany and Hungary in its first two games.
Much of the excitement in the camp revolves around Florida Panthers duo Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell. The Stanley Cup-winning duo would be a talking point on any team, but Barkov’s recovery from the injury that wiped out his 2025-26 NHL campaign merely added to the buzz.
And the man himself is feeling it too. “It’s amazing,” said the 30-year-old centre after that opening day win over the Germans. “I can’t even describe how great this is.”
There are no concerns about the ACL issue, either, as Barkov plays at a World Championship for the first time since winning silver in 2016. “I haven’t really gotten a chance to come here ever since,” he said. “But this time I was fully healed, fully ready to play and I’m really thankful for this chance to represent Finland.”
Lundell, 24, is also looking to add to a silver medal – in his case from 2021, his final season with HIFK before moving to Florida.
He started with a couple of points against Germany and is also enjoying the experience.
“It feels good,” he said. “Finnish guys, we always play together, play as a team. We don't give up. We are friends, and I think the team chemistry is something we build around, where we know each other from a young age.”
That camaraderie is obvious. Barkov on Lundell: “He’s a great overall player, he plays the game the right way every time he steps on the ice. It’s the same in Florida. I’m happy we’re here together and we’re lucky to have him on the team.”
Or Olli Maatta on Jesse Puljujarvi, who stepped up to replace Teuvo Teravainen after the Chicago Blackhawk picked up an injury in the opening game.
“I don't know if you'd say he 'filled in' [with Barkov],” said the experienced defender. “Really, he's been great all camp and in the very first game too. He's a big body and he goes in dirty areas on the ice, and that's where he gets his goals. Guys appreciated his job and his effort.”
Puljujarvi may have been thrust unexpectedly into the top line, but he has a big ambition for this tournament.
“In Finland, hockey is a big thing,” he said. “When guys put their bodies and their hearts on the ice, they want to make the fans smile. That's what we want to bring to Finland: happiness.”
However, with the greatest of respect to Finland’s early opponents, there are bigger challenges to come. The USA, defending champion, is up next, and host nation Switzerland also promises a tough test.
But this is a team looking to end a four-year wait for World Championship hardware, and eager to build on Olympic bronze back in February.
“I think every time we play, we're expecting to win,” added Maatta. “I know Olympic bronze is a big thing, but at the same time, I think we've got better [to give], that's a good thing for Finnish hockey too. We expect a lot of ourselves, and people expect a lot of us.”