Finland wins Ice Hockey World Championship as Konsta Helenius scores overtime winner

Finland is the new Ice Hockey World Champion after a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory against Switzerland in the final. Young star Konsta Helenius emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal. The 20-year-old Buffalo Sabres prospect proved his mettle, fulfilling his pre-tournament confidence. "He's a great goal from him and..." veteran Mikael Granlund began, before shifting his tone to praise the young player. "Now you can praise the guy. I love that guy! What a person he is, cheerful and such a natural child."

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Now you can praise the guy. I love that guy! What a person he is, cheerful and such a natural child.

Granlund highlighted Helenius's positive impact both on and off the ice. "He has brought a lot to this team, both on and off the ice. That's great. That goal went to the right guy. This was a close game, and anything could have happened. Then Konsta came and scored," Granlund enthused. Helenius joined the Finnish team during the NHL playoffs after the Buffalo Sabres were eliminated. He was immediately placed on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Granlund, forming a dominant trio throughout the tournament.

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He has brought a lot to this team, both on and off the ice. That's great. That goal went to the right guy. This was a close game, and anything could have happened. Then Konsta came and scored.

Granlund admitted he had to keep a close eye on Helenius during the tournament. "I had to watch a bit and say, 'take it easy, kid.'" he said. "When we won, I told him, 'Now you can brag a little. Now it's earned,'" Granlund chuckled. As Helenius scored the winning goal, his mother, Maiju Helenius, fainted in the stands. "I found myself between the benches a moment later," she told IS. The entire Helenius family was in Zurich to support Konsta and the team's journey to gold.

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I had to watch a bit and say, 'take it easy, kid.' When we won, I told him, 'Now you can brag a little. Now it's earned.'