Play Free Bird! Team USA Wins World Juniors Gold in Overtime

Published: Thursday, January 9, 2025

by Patrick Corsello

Team USA captured its second consecutive World Junior Championship with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over Finland, becoming back-to-back champions for the first time.  

The game didn’t start well for the Americans, as Finland struck first on the power play. Forward Jesse Kiiskinen scored less than seven minutes into the opening period, beating goaltender Trey Augustine to give the Finns an early 1-0 lead.

Team USA responded quickly when James Hagens scored to tie the game at 1 just a few minutes later. Hagens, currently at Boston College, is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft.  

However, Finland regained the lead just a minute later, as Tuomas Uronen capitalized on a defensive lapse to put the Finns back on top, 2-1. The first period ended with Finland in control, leaving Team USA needing to regroup.

Finland continued to apply pressure early in the second period. Emil Pieniniemi, a 2023 third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, capitalized on a collision between two American players and fired a shot past Augustine, extending Finland’s lead to 3-1.  

At that point, things looked bleak for Team USA. However, a fortunate bounce late in the period gave them hope. Forward Brandon Svoboda launched a long shot that deflected off a Finnish player and into the net, cutting the deficit to 3-2.  

With momentum shifting, Team USA tied the game in the final minute of the second period. Cole Hutson found a lane between the circles and sent a wrist shot past Finnish goaltender Petteri Rimpinen, tying the score at 3-3. The goal also gave Hutson the tournament lead in points, making him the first defenseman to ever lead the World Juniors in scoring.

As the third period began, Team USA looked sharper than in the first two periods. Both teams tightened their defensive structures, knowing the next goal would likely decide the game. Despite strong chances on both sides, neither team managed to score, sending the gold medal game into 3-on-3 overtime.

In overtime, Team USA controlled much of the play, but Finland's Rimpinen stood tall, making several key saves to keep his team in the game. Eight minutes into the extra frame, Zeev Buium sent a perfect saucer pass to Teddy Stiga, who raced into the offensive zone and slid the puck under Rimpinen's pads. Team USA erupted in celebration, securing the gold medal in Ottawa.

USA captain and Washington Capitals 2023 first-round pick Ryan Leonard was named tournament MVP, recording 5 goals and 5 assists in 7 games. The Boston College line of Leonard, Hagens, and Gabe Perreault (a 2023 New York Rangers first-round pick) dominated the tournament, combining for 29 points across seven games.

Next year's World Junior Championship will mark the 50th anniversary of the tournament. It is set to take place in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, from Dec. 26, 2025, to Jan. 5, 2026.

Patrick Corsello is an Assistant Music Director at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at patrick.corsello@student.shu.edu. 

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