United States 4, Czechia 1 — Trey Augustine (Detroit Pink Wings) made 26 saves for the USA, which superior to the gold medal sport of the World Juniors for the second straight 12 months.
The U.S. will search a seventh match championship and an opportunity at profitable back-to-back titles for the primary time when it performs Finland within the gold medal sport at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday (7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN).
Finland scored a 4-3 time beyond regulation victory in opposition to the USA in preliminary spherical play on Dec. 29.
“We spoke about [the possibility of winning back-to-back] at our first assembly in the summertime, that our nation has by no means carried out that, and quite a bit goes into getting again to that chance,” U.S. coach David Carle stated. “So that you begin with the tip in thoughts, and you then sort of construct your course of from there. Our guys have believed and been on board all through, and we have continued to get higher and higher. I believe that is what we’re most happy with … to place ourselves on this scenario. We have earned it, and we get to go lay it out all on the road [Sunday] night.”
The US is 15-3-1-8 with one tie in opposition to Czechia in 28 matches within the match. It prolonged its streak to 14 straight video games at World Juniors with out dropping in regulation; the final regulation loss was the semifinal spherical of the 2023 WJC.
Augustine turned the profession chief in wins at World Juniors (11 wins), passing Jack Campbell (10 wins, 2010-12).
“It is so particular, simply the entire listing of goalies which have performed for our nation,” Augustine stated. “Clearly, trying to get one other gold medal tomorrow and that is what I am centered on.”
Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals) and Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers) every had a purpose and an help for the Individuals.
“I do not assume we performed practically nearly as good as we should always’ve tonight,” Leonard stated. “I suppose we’re saving it for [Sunday]. I felt we had been sort of up and down and our group is aware of that. We have simply acquired to discover a option to step on the gasoline the entire sport [against Finland].”
Michael Hrabal (Utah Hockey Membership) made 21 saves for Czechia, which can play Sweden within the bronze medal sport at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN).
“I believe the U.S. performed a extremely sturdy sport; they did not actually push us too onerous, however they performed so sensible, they usually had been ready for his or her probabilities,” Czechia coach Patrik Augusta stated. “They weren’t dishonest for them, and we gave it to them on the finish. I believe it was a detailed sport at 2-1 and I am a bit upset we did not give ourselves a greater likelihood to finish up tying it. We made two errors on modifications that most likely should not occur in an enormous sport like this if you wish to achieve success.”
Perreault gave the USA a 1-0 lead at 3:14 of the primary interval. Leonard picked up a puck alongside the best wing boards, skated by a defender earlier than backhanding a go by one other defender from the best circle to Perreault within the slot for the one-touch purpose.
“I used to be going to help him at first, however then after I noticed he was going to have the ability to totally get it out, I went to the center and I knew he was going to search out me,” Perreault stated.
Jakub Stancl (St. Louis Blues) tied the sport 1-1 when he stole a clearing try from U.S. defenseman Logan Hensler (2025 NHL Draft eligible) on the left level, skated into the left circle and ripped a shot into the far prime nook at 9:28 of the primary.
“I simply learn their defenseman on the forecheck, and I picked up the puck and simply needed to get it excessive on the web, so it acquired in,” Stancl stated. “I believe we had fairly good probabilities to attain. Sadly, it did not work out.”
Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders) gave the Individuals a 2-1 lead with a power-play purpose on a one-timer from the excessive slot after a go from Trevor Connelly (Vegas Golden Knights) from the left circle at 13:41 of the second interval.
Augustine’s greatest save got here at 12:21 of the third interval when he stretched out his proper pad to disclaim Adam Jecho (St. Louis Blues) on the left put up.
“It was simply sort of a loose-puck scrum within the nook that sort of popped out the underside of the dot and the man acquired a shot, not too heavy, and sort of made it tough to manage the rebound,” Augustine stated. “On the finish of the day, I am simply attempting to get any a part of my physique in entrance of it to maintain it out of the web.”
Leonard scored from the slot off a lead go from Perreault at 15:33 of the third interval for a 3-1 lead, and Oliver Moore scored an empty-net purpose at 18:53 for the 4-1 remaining.
“I favored our second interval, and we simply could not discover a option to prolong it,” Carle stated. “We knew they’d have a push within the third they usually did. Trey was wonderful within the first 10 minutes of third earlier than we sort of acquired going once more and it was an enormous aid [when Leonard scored] and also you begin to see it coming collectively.”
The US has medaled in seven of the final 9 World Juniors, the perfect stretch within the nation’s historical past.
Finland 4, Sweden 3 (OT) — Benjamin Rautiainen (2025 draft eligible) scored a power-play purpose at 9:22 of time beyond regulation and Finland superior to the gold-medal sport of the World Juniors for the primary time since 2022.
Finland will play the USA within the championship sport at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday (7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN).
Rautiainen was stationed alongside the purpose line on the best aspect of the Sweden zone, and his shot alongside the ice went beneath the pads of goalie Melker Thelin (Utah Hockey Membership).
“I simply noticed that the goalie is standing so I attempt to shoot to the five-hole as onerous as I can,” Rautiainen stated.
Emil Hemming (Dallas Stars) had a purpose and an help for Finland, and Jesse Kiiskinen (Detroit Pink Wings) and Arttu Alasiurua (2025 draft eligible) additionally scored. Konsta Helenius (Buffalo Sabres) had 4 assists and Petteri Rimpinen (2025 draft eligible) made 43 saves.
“It is an unreal feeling,” Finland defenseman Aron Kiviharju (Minnesota Wild) stated. “Cannot actually describe the sentiments in any phrases. We did a [heck] of job there to get the win tonight. It wasn’t simple. I believe we performed very well for the primary two intervals however within the third we had been simply attempting to outlive.”
Otto Stenberg (St. Louis Blues) scored two objectives for Sweden, and Wilhelm Hallquisth (2025 draft eligible) additionally scored. Thelin made 31 saves.
Sweden will play Czechia within the bronze-medal sport Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN).
“I instructed the gamers proper after the sport, ‘Proper now, for 2 hours, you might be upset, however then we have to have a gathering on the lodge and regroup,’” Sweden coach Magnus Havelid stated. “It was a bit disappointing, however we are going to play within the bronze-medal sport tomorrow, and that is a superb feeling. So we have to come collectively tonight and regroup.”
Stenberg made it 1-0 at 1:22 of the second interval. He lifted the stick of Finland defenseman Emil Pieniniemi (Pittsburgh Penguins) at middle ice and took off on a 2-on-1 with Victor Eklund (2025 draft eligible). Stenberg stored the puck and scored from the left aspect.
Hemming tied it 1-1 at 4:32. As a Finland energy play was ending, Hemming handed to Helenius beneath the purpose line, skated to the web, and scored off the return go.
Kiiskinen scored a power-play purpose 13:28 to place Finland forward 2-1, tapping in a backdoor go by Topias Hynninen (2025 draft eligible).
Sweden allowed a tournament-high eight power-play objectives.
Stenberg tied it 2-2 with a power-play purpose at 18:07, when his one-timer from the best face-off circle deflected off the glove of Finland defenseman Veeti Vaisanen (Utah Hockey Membership) and previous Rimpinen.
Finland went forward 3-2 when Arttu Alasiurua scored on a web drive at 19:39.
Hallquisth tied it 3-3 at 11:32 of the third interval when his level shot trickled between Rimpinen’s proper arm and physique.
Sweden acquired an influence play throughout time beyond regulation when Jessi Nurmi (New York Islanders) was referred to as for high-sticking at 2:26. However Rimpinen, who has earned the nickname “Showtime,” made three saves.
“As soon as once more, Mr. Showtime was doing his job to assist us win one of these sport,” Kiviharju stated. “We confirmed our resilience and stored going and waited for our alternative.”
