In an electrifying thriller at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Finland edged out the United States 4-3 overtime on Sunday, ending the reigning champions’ ten-game winning streak. Both teams secured playoff spots, each gaining a standings point for the contest, reaching extra time. Still, this game felt reminiscent of the thrilling semifinal between these two sides last year, where the Americans overcame a 2-0 deficit for a 3-2 triumph. This time, the Fin’s emerged victorious in another heart-stopping finish.
USA and Finland Exchange Blows in Fast-Paced Opening Period:
The tilt opened with both teams showing their mettle early. Team USA’s Trevor Connlley (VGK) created a spark by winning a puck battle along the boards, setting up Danny Nelson (NYI) to feed Cole Eiserman (NYI) for an early chance. Adam Kleber (BUF) broke up a dangerous Finnish attack on the defensive side, while Nelson hustled back to stifle a 2-on-1. Meanwhile, Finland’s goalie, Petteri Rimpinen, was sharp, robbing Ryan Leonard (NYI) and Gabe Perrault (NYR) to keep the game scoreless.
Momentum shifted midway through the period when Finland’s Jonna Sarranian (TBL) forced a turnover, leading to an Arttu Alasiurua breakaway. Alasiurua sniped a shorthanded goal past Trey Augustine (DET) to give Finland a 1-0 lead, marking the first time the Americans trailed all tournament. USA fought back, as Nelson rang one off the post off the ensuing faceoff. They continued to press on their next power play, with Perrault feeding Ryan Leonard (WSH) for a net-front chance and then setting up Brandon Svoboda (SJ), who couldn’t entirely control the bouncing puck.
Finland almost extended their lead with another shorthanded breakaway as Alasiurua danced through Brodie Ziemer’s (BUF) legs for a one-on-one against Augustine, but the USA netminder stood tall. Then, the Americans broke through, with Carey Terrance (ANA) tying the game after streaking through the middle and roofing a beautiful backhand shot past Rimpinen.
The frame didn’t end without more drama. Terrance took a tripping penalty, giving Finland another power play. Augustine had to make several big saves, including stopping a backhander from Heikki Ruohnen and a ripper from top prospect Aron Kijiviharju (MIN). Drew Fortescue (NYR) made a key boxout, preventing Topias Hynninen from pouncing on a rebound. Leonard used his stick effectively to help kill off the penalty, as the first period ended 1-1.
Second Period Shifts Momentum as Finland Gains the Upper Hand:
The middle stanza started strong for Team USA. Just under two minutes in, Cole Hutson (WSH) gave the Americans a 2-1 lead off the rush, picking his spot and sniping shortside past Rimpinen.
But Finland responded with grit and precision. On a power play, Emil Pieniniemi (PIT) set up Konsta Helenius (BUF) for a beautiful redirection to tie the game at 2-2. Moments later, Julius Miettinen (SEA) fired a top-corner shot through traffic to put the Young Lions up 3-2, a lead they carried into the intermission despite a flurry of American chances.
Connlley set up Hutson for a chance, only for Rimpinen to shut the door. Finland’s Heikki Ruohnen and Aron Kiviharju kept Augustine busy at the other end while Perrault continued to absorb hits, including another from Pieniniemi off a faceoff. One of the USA’s glorious opportunities was when Perrault sprung Leonard for a breakaway. Leonard muscled through the defense with one hand on his stick but was denied by an outstretched Rimpinen. As frustration mounted, Cole Hutson (WSH) took a penalty after being tied up in the slot, giving Finland another power play.
USA’s penalty kill responded with energy, creating a few shorthanded chances, but Rimpinen remained a wall. With 2:57 left, the Americans thought they had their moment—a wide-open neutral zone led to a breakaway for Perrault. He deked around Rimpinen but hit the post, a missed opportunity that summed up their struggles in the period.
Finland Finishes The Job:
Facing a one-goal deficit, Team USA turned up the heat. Ziemer (BUF) and Oliver Moore (CHI) connected on a slick give-and-go, but Moore’s one-timer was stopped. Finland’s Kasper Halttunen (SJ) broke up a Leonard rush, but the Americans kept pressing.
USA found paydirt with 16:34 left. Moore worked his magic behind the net, setting up Teddy Stiga (NSH), who found Ziemer for a tap-in to tie the game 3-3. The momentum swung back and forth as Finland’s Helenius nearly scored on a Michigan move. James Hagens (2025 projected No.1 overall pick) sent Perrault on yet another breakaway, only to see his backhand clank off the post—his second of the afternoon.
The penalty kill became crucial for the Americans late in regulation. Nelson and Terrance made heroic shot blocks to fend off Finland’s man-advantage, while Augustine finally showed why he was projected to be the best goaltender in this tournament. He snubbed Topias Hynninen streaking down the right side and came up big on a one-timer by Emil Hemming (DAL) during a Finnish power play. USA kept the Young Lion’s dangerous shooters to the perimeter using a diamond formation.
With under 10 minutes to go, Augustine made a spectacular save on Heikki Ruohnen in the slot, with Zeev Buium (MIN) deflecting the rebound just over the crossbar. Augustine nearly cost the Americans in the waning seconds with a juicy rebound. But Perrault was there to clear the loose puck, preserving the tie as regulation ended.
The Finlands outshot the Americans 43-31, including 15-5 in the third period, but couldn’t sneak ahead, forcing overtime. USA escaped with a much-needed standings point, keeping themselves in the driver’s seat for the Group A title, no matter the bonus frame result. Meanwhile, Finland ensured they would avoid relegation.
The five-minute frenzy delivered the drama fans hoped for. The Americans controlled the puck early, with Hagens setting up Nelson for a close-range chance that Rimpinen denied, part of his 30-save outburst. Hutson’s howitzer moments later was also turned aside before Finland and fate collided. The Nitty Lions seized their moment and victory off the rush. Tuomas Uronen (VGK) streaked down the right wing and fired a shot that Augustine got a piece of with his glove but couldn’t contain, sealing the Fin’s 4-3 win.
Up Next:
The loss ended Team USA’s 10-game World Juniors winning streak, their first defeat since falling to Connor Bedard and Team Canada in the 2023 semifinals. However, after two regulation wins, they’ve already banked seven standings points, scraping out another in a sloppy pond hockey game. A win over Canada on Tuesday secures them the top spot in Group A. Finland’s overtime victory bumps them to 2-1 with five points. If they take care of business against Latvia in regulation on Tuesday, they’re guaranteed no worse than second place heading into the knockout round. After the intensity of this matchup, wouldn’t it be something to see these two rivals square off again in the semifinals? If today was the premier, sign us up for the sequel.
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