Kempe, Sweden advance to semis at WJC

Reign forward Adrian Kempe’s Finland trip at the World Junior Championships has been extended.

Kempe had a goal and an assist as Sweden defeated Slovakia 6-0 in the quarterfinals on Saturday to advance to the semifinals where they’ll face Finland on Monday. The Finns defeated Canada 6-5 in another quarterfinal played Saturday.

Kempe’s goal came early in the third period, a shot from the slot that beat Slovakia goalie Adam Huska over his blocker and gave Sweden a 4-0 lead.

Here’s highlights of the game, with Kempe’s tally at the 3:33 mark:

Kempe now has three goals and three assists through five tournament games. Sweden was the only team to finish group play undefeated, with a 4-0 record in Group A.

Sweden has not faced Finland, a squad that finished second in Group B.

Kempe, the Kings’ first-round pick at No. 29 overall in the 2014 draft, has seven goals and nine assists in 21 games with the Reign this season and will return to the team at the conclusion of the tournament. Including today’s Reign game against Charlotte, he’s missed six Ontario games while competing in Finland.

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