Biasca plays hero as Switzerland upsets Finland in 2023 World Junior opener

The 2023 World Juniors have kicked off and the first game of Day One saw Nashville's 2022 first-rounder Joakim Kemell and Finland take on Dallas' 2022 first-rounder Lian Bichsel and Switzerland.

After a quiet first period, Finland opened the scoring early in the second frame. Ville Vaisanen threw the puck on net and Swiss goaltender Kevin Pasche kicked the rebound right in front, where Konsta Kapanen put it home to make it 1-0 Finland.

The first goal of the 2023 #WorldJuniors belongs to Konsta Kapanen 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/XMbcyfezhM— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

With just over seven minutes remaining in the second period, Switzerland tied the game at 1-1. Jonas Taibel passed the puck in front from behind the net, it then hit the skate of a Finnish defenceman and went right to Lorenzo Canonica. Canonica ripped the puck just under the bar, past Aku Koskenvuo, to make it 1-1.

Lorzeno Canonica rips one home to tie the game 🚨

Finland 1 - 1 Switzerland#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/MyZhb2xr9U— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

Under five minutes into the third, the Swiss took their first lead of the game. Forward Mats Alge threw the puck on net and it squeaks through Koskenvuo and into the crease. Several Finnishes players then dashed to the net to keep the puck from crossing the goal line, but it was Jeremy Jabola who poked it home and gave Switzerland a 2-1 lead.

Jeremy Jabola buries the loose puck to give Switzerland the lead 🚨

Finland 1 - 2 Switzerland#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/Jryf02Y6ki— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

Switzerland's lead wouldn't last for long, as Kalle Vaisanen brought the game level again. The Rangers prospect had the puck along the wall in Switzerland's zone, he then curled out towards the net and ripped the puck past Kevin Pasche, top corner, making it 2-2.

Kalle Väisänen finds the back of the net to tie this game with just over 10 minutes to play in the 3rd 🚨

Finland 2 - 2 Switzerland#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/lXwF36BvAy— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

The game remained tied and headed to overtime, where 41 seconds in, Switzerland's Attilio Biasca through the puck on net and it found a way through a screen to give Switzerland the 3-2 upset win over Finland.

Kalle Väisänen finds the back of the net to tie this game with just over 10 minutes to play in the 3rd 🚨

Finland 2 - 2 Switzerland#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/lXwF36BvAy— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

Both teams will be back in action on Tuesday where Switzerland will face Latvia, while the Finns will take on Simon Nemec and Slovakia.

Stay tuned to Markerzone.com for full coverage of the 2023 IIHF World Juniors Hockey Championship including game recaps!

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