Sweden Defeats Switzerland 4-2 in 2026 World Juniors

The third day of the 2026 World Junior Championship was a snowy one, as much of Minnesota was in a blizzard warning, but that didn’t stop hockey from going on. Sweden faced Switzerland at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 28. Sweden looked to capture their second win of the tournament while Switzerland looked for their first. 

Related: Guide to the 2026 World Junior Championship

Love Härenstam was in the net for Sweden, while Elijah Neuenschwander was in the net for Switzerland. Sweden got the early jump on the scoreboard, and Switzerland fought back. Switzerland did take the lead for a short time, but Sweden bounced back, retook the lead, and took the win 4-2.

Game Recap 

Sweden got on the scoreboard 53 seconds into the game with a goal from Eric Nilson. Leo Sahlin Wallenius assisted him to make it 1-0. Switzerland tied it up late in the period on a goal by Beni Waidacher. Leon Muggli and Daniil Ustinkov assisted him to make it 1-1. Those were the only goals of the first period, and they went into the second tied. 

Switzerland scored late in the second period to take a 2-1 lead on a goal scored by Lars Steiner. Muggli and Ustinkov assisted him. That was the lone goal of the middle period, and Switzerland took the lead into the final period. 

Sweden tied it up in the first minute of the third period on a goal by Viggo Björck. Alfons Freij and Anton Frondell assisted him, which made it 2-2. They retook the lead a short time later on a goal by Lucas Pettersson. Liam Danielsson and Nilson assisted him, which made it 3-2.

Sweden sealed the win in the final minute of the third period with an empty net goal by Björck, his second of the game. Freij and Frondell assisted him. That was the final goal of the game, and Sweden took the win 4-2.

Sweden will be back in action on Monday, Dec. 29, when they take on Germany. Switzerland will be off on Monday but back on Tuesday, Dec. 30, to also play Germany.