Two members of the Florida Panthers will return to the United States with gold medals. Florida Panthers centers Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell helped the Finland Men’s Hockey National team defeat Switzerland 1-0 in overtime of the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship game Sunday.Finland’s Konsta Helenius of the Buffalo Sabers scored the game-winning goal at 10:42 of the 3-on-3 overtime at Swiss Life Arena in Zürich, Switzerland.Finland won its first gold medal since 2022 and the third overall in the last seven years.The tournament caps a successful year for Florida Panthers in international competitions.The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 NewsFlorida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk was a member of the United States men’s hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament in February in Milano Cortina, Italy.Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito was the assistant general manager for Team USA.Florida Panthers’ Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand were members of the Canadian men’s hockey team that earned the silver medal.Lundell, Niko Mikkola and Eetu Luostarinen earned a bronze medal for Finland in the Winter Olympics.The IIHF World Championship tournament was the first competition for Barkov since he tore the ACL ligament in his knee during practice prior to the 2025-26 NHL regular season with the Florida Panthers in September 2025.Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
ZÜRICH, ZH —
Two members of the Florida Panthers will return to the United States with gold medals. Florida Panthers centers Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell helped the Finland Men’s Hockey National team defeat Switzerland 1-0 in overtime of the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship game Sunday.
Finland’s Konsta Helenius of the Buffalo Sabers scored the game-winning goal at 10:42 of the 3-on-3 overtime at Swiss Life Arena in Zürich, Switzerland.
Getty ImagesSEBASTIEN BOZON
Finland’s captain #16 Aleksander Barkov holds the trophy as he celebrates with his teammates after Finland won the IIHF Ice Hockey Men’s World Championship final match between Switzerland and Finland at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich on May 31, 2026. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP via Getty Images)
Finland won its first gold medal since 2022 and the third overall in the last seven years.
Getty ImagesDaniela Porcelli
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – MAY 31: Konsta Helenius (L) and Anton Lundell of Finland (R) celebrate the second goal in overtime and victory during the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Switzerland Gold medal game between Switzerland and Finland at Swiss Life Arena on May 31, 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
The tournament caps a successful year for Florida Panthers in international competitions.
The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 News
Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk was a member of the United States men’s hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament in February in Milano Cortina, Italy.
Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito was the assistant general manager for Team USA.
Florida Panthers’ Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand were members of the Canadian men’s hockey team that earned the silver medal.
Lundell, Niko Mikkola and Eetu Luostarinen earned a bronze medal for Finland in the Winter Olympics.
Getty ImagesSEBASTIEN BOZON
President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Luc Tardif (R) hands over the trophy to Finland’s forward #16 Aleksander Barkov after Finland won the IIHF Ice Hockey Men’s World Championship final match between Switzerland and Finland at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich on May 31, 2026. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP via Getty Images)
The IIHF World Championship tournament was the first competition for Barkov since he tore the ACL ligament in his knee during practice prior to the 2025-26 NHL regular season with the Florida Panthers in September 2025.
Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.