The USA has done it again—clinching the gold at the World Juniors for the second year in a row, and it was nothing short of spectacular. If there was ever a time to blast “Free Bird” on repeat, it’s now because this American squad just set a new standard for dominance
Teddy Stiga, a Nashville Predators prospect, was Sunday night’s hero. He scored the golden goal in overtime to give the Americans a 4-3 win over Finland on Sunday at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The victory was sweeter, as the USA had to overcome a 3-1 deficit. The fact that it wasn’t a superstar who clinched it for the Americans defines the group’s resolve. It was Stiga, a player who had to fight his way into the lineup after starting the tournament as a healthy scratch.
Grab your red, white, and blue because it’s time to celebrate another golden chapter in the history of American hockey.
Finland Strikes Early, Edges USA in Thrilling First Period:
The first period between these two rivals delivered plenty of excitement, with both teams flashing their offensive firepower.
The Finns came out strong, earning the game’s first big chance just under two minutes in. Jesse Kiiskinen (DET) worked his way to the front of the net and nearly converted a perfect feed from Jesse Nurmi (NYI), but Trey Augustine (DET) turned him away with a quick blocker save.
Shortly after, another Detroit Red Wings prospect got himself on the scoresheet, as Max Plante was penalized for hooking, and Finland’s power play went to work. They wasted no time capitalizing as 2025 NHL Draft prospect Topias Hynninen found Kiiskinen with a beautiful cross-ice pass. Kiiskinen’s wrist shot from the slot was pinpoint, beating Augustine glove-side for his sixth goal of the tournament and giving Finland a 1-0 lead just over seven minutes into the game.
The Finns maintained pressure, forcing the Americans into a lengthy shift in their zone and nearly doubling their lead when Philadelphia Flyers prospect Heikki Ruohonen blasted a shot just over the bar. Finland’s relentless puck movement created a few more chances, but Augustine held his ground.
The USA needed a spark, and it came courtesy of James Hagens, the projected first-overall pick in the upcoming draft. After a turnover by Finland, American captain and tournament MVP Ryan Leonard (WSH) pounced. His initial shot created a loose puck in the crease, and Hagens wasted no time burying the rebound to tie the game at 1-1 with 7:56 remaining.
However, the Nityy Lions answered immediately. Fifty-nine seconds later, Tuomas Uronen (VGK) regained the lead with a perfectly placed wrist shot over Augustine’s blocker, making it 2-1 Finland. The sniper who snapped USA’s 10-game winning streak dating back to the 2023 Bronze Medal game with the overtime winner in group play struck again in the final.
The period ended with Finland firmly in control, outshooting the USA 13-8 and stifling the Americans’ typically potent attack. The Finns head into the second period with a one-goal lead, showing why they’ve been such a tough matchup for the USA in this tournament.
Red, White, and Resilient: USA Rallies to Tie Finland in Thrilling Second Period:
The second stanza began with questions about whether Finland, notorious for struggling in the middle frame, could hold their momentum. Early on, it appeared they might rewrite that narrative. Heikki Ruohonen created the first dangerous chance of the period, cutting to the net, but Augustine and the USA defense held firm.
Just over four minutes in, Emil Pieniniemi (PIT) seized on a golden opportunity. A collision between Buium and Oliver Moore (CHi) left the Kuopio-born defenseman alone with time and space. He ripped a perfectly placed shot past Augustine’s blocker to give Finland a 3-1 lead. The Americans looked rattled, a rare sight for this dominant reigning championed squad, as Finland kept pressing and maintained control.
Midway through the period, frustration began to creep into the Americans’ game. Cole Eiserman (NYI) shoved Konsta Helenius (BUF) on the ice, which usually draws a penalty, but the referees let it slide. Moments later, Finland nearly extended their lead again as Benjamin Rautiainen found Hynninen in front, only for Aram Minnetian (DAL) to disrupt the play just in time.
Slowly, the Americans began to find themselves. They nearly scored on an odd-man rush when Buium and Gabe Perrault (NYR) combined for a dangerous play, but Finnish goalie Petteri Rimpinen (SEA) stood tall. Leonard also appeared to be hooked in the neutral zone but didn’t get the call, adding to the tension.
With under three minutes left, the USA caught a huge break. A Brandon Svoboda (SJ) shot from the blue line deflected off a Finnish defender and rolled past Rimpinen, cutting the lead to 3-2. Energized by the goal, the Americans struck again just 1:53 later. Cole Hutson (WSH), fed by Leonard, danced into the slot and delivered a perfect shot off the post and in, tying the game at 3-3 with just 29 seconds remaining in the period. It was Hutson’s tournament-leading 11th point, becoming the first American defenseman to pace the leaderboard at the World Juniors.
The Americans dominated the frame, outshooting Finland 15-4 and completely flipping the script. As the teams headed into the third period tied, it was clear this gold medal game was far from over.
The Golden Finish: USA Clinches Historic Back-to-Back Titles:
As the third period ticked on, the intensity was palpable. The USA came out swinging, but Finland’s defense said no, keeping the Americans at bay despite their struggles in the offensive zone. Leonard, USA’s heart and soul, came close repeatedly—first with a breakaway that Rimpinen stoned, then with an open-net miss that had the American bench holding its breath.
The tension mounted, mainly when Finland’s Rautiainen nearly capitalized with a prime chance in the USA zone, only to miss wide. With under five minutes to go, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. A turnover behind the Finnish net nearly led to the game-changing mark, but Rimpinen kept his cool and again denied the Americans. The gold medal was within arm’s reach for both teams, but 60 minutes wasn’t enough—overtime loomed.
The overtime stanza started with the USA creating several chances, dominating the early play. Rimpinen made some highway robberies, stopping Leonard and Hagens in succession, but the pressure was mounting. Finland couldn’t get anything going as the USA’s barrage continued.
Then, at 7:51 of overtime, Stiga—who hadn’t scored all tournament—found himself alone on a breakaway with a saucer pass from Buium. He made no mistake, going five-hole on Rimpinen, delivering a golden goal for the United States, setting off a euphoric celebration on the ice and in the stands.
It’s the program’s second straight World Juniors title, seventh overall, and fourth since 2017, also winning it in 2021 before repeating with the class of 2004 and 2005 (And some 2006’s). These boys were infants when the Americans captured their maiden Cup in 2004. It’s poetic they’re the ones to rewrite USA Hockey history two decades later.
ITR 40: Headed For A Repeat? – Inside The Rink
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