Finland tops Czech Republic at world junior playdowns

Finland's Patrik Laine, centre, celebrates his game winning goal 5-4 with Jesse Puljujarvi and Julius Nattinen, right, during the 2016 IIHF World Junior U20 Ice Hockey Championships tournament match Canada vs Sweden in Helsinki, Finland, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)

HELSINKI - Finland defeated the Czech Republic 5-4 on Thursday in the preliminary-round finale for both teams at the world junior hockey championship.

Tournament scoring leader Jesse Puljujarvi scored twice for the host side at Hartwall Arena and Patrik Laine notched the game-winner in the third period. Puljujarvi has 12 points (5-7) in four games.

Roope Hintz and Antti Kalapuhdas also scored for Finland. Jiri Smejkal, Jan Ordos, David Sklenicka and Michael Spacek had the Czech goals.

Finland finished second in Group B with nine points and will play Canada in the quarter-finals Saturday. The Czechs were third in Group B and will play the United States in the playoff round.