World Junior 2016: Soderstrom shuts out Slovakia; Canadians eliminated

Islanders goaltending prospect Linus Söderström earned his second shutout of the 2016 World Junior Championship, leading Sweden past Slovakia on Saturday and into the semifinals against Finland.

Söderström, a fourth round pick of the Islanders in 2014, made 17 saves in Sweden's 6-0 rout of Slovakia, a rematch of last year's bronze medal game. He had shutout Team USA 1-0 last week.

There was some concern about an injury after Söderström left Sweden's 5-2 win over Canada on Thursday with about five minutes to go. If he was bothered by something, it didn't seem to hamper him against Slovakia, however light their attack was.

And so it's on to the semifinals against Finland, who beat Canada in a wild 6-5 game that eliminated Islanders prospects Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier from the tournament. Neither figured in the scoring against Finland (somehow), but will leave Helsinki without a medal. Canada hasn't been eliminated this early at the tournament in 17 years.

Barzal was named one of Canada's best players of the tournament, along with Dylan Strome and captain Joe Hicketts. Barzal finished with two goals and one assist in five games, while Beauvillier finished with one goal and no assists.

The semifinal between Sweden and Finland will be Monday afternoon Helsinki time. The two teams played for gold in 2014, with Finland winning the championship 3-2 in Malmo, Sweden. Team USA beat the Czech Republic 7-0 on Saturday and will play Russia in the other semifinal on Monday.