Buffalo Sabres center Konsta Helenius on Sunday capped a breakout season by scoring the golden goal in overtime to clinch the World Championship for Team Finland.
Helenius, who joined the tournament shortly after the Montreal Canadiens eliminated the Sabres from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scored 10:42 into the first overtime to give his country a 1-0 win over host Switzerland.
After Helenius, 20, carried the puck from the left corner into the right circle and beat goalie Leonardo Genoni, he threw off his helmet and gloves and was mobbed by his teammates.
Helenius, who also scored the game-winning goal in the semifinal against Team Canada, compiled three goals and six points in six games for Finland, which won its first gold medal since 2022.
KONSTA HELENIUS GOLDEN GOAL IN OT‼️🇫🇮 #MensWorlds #IIHF pic.twitter.com/4HlCIFFZ8d
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 31, 2026
The youngster has experienced a whirlwind five weeks. After the Rochester Americans season ended in late April, the Sabres recalled him to serve as a Black Ace during their playoff run.
When the Sabres inserted the rookie for Game 3 of their second-round series against the Canadiens, he offered immediate contributions and looked comfortable on the grand stage.
He played the last four games, scoring two goals.
Helenius earned his first taste of the NHL earlier this season, his second in North America, registering one goal and four points in nine games before returning to Rochester.
He scored 21 goals and 62 points, a total that tied for the team lead with defenseman Zac Jones, in 63 games for the Amerks.
The Sabres drafted Helenius 14th overall in 2024.
Sabres center Tage Thompson scored the golden overtime goal for Team USA at the World Championship last year.