GOLDEN: U.S. Beats Finland in OT at World Juniors

Tuomas Uronen responded 59 seconds later with a goal from the top of the right circle to give Finland a 2-1 lead.

U.S. netminder Trey Augustine (South Lyon, Mich./Michigan State University) made 11 saves in the opening stanza including a stellar blocker save on a broken play in front just 1:12 into the contest.

Emil Pieniniemi extended Finland’s lead to 3-1 on a wrister from the right circle at 4:52 of the middle period.

Brandon Svoboda (Level Green, Pa./Boston University) fired a shot from the point that deflected off a Finnish defender and found the back of the net with 2:22 remaining. Max Plante (Hermantown, Minn./University of Minnesota Duluth) and Cole Hutson (North Barrington, Ill./Boston University) assisted on the tally.

Hutson tied the contest with 28.7 seconds left in the second frame as he gathered a pass from Leonard and fired a shot from the slot that beat Finnish netminder Petteri Rimpinen on the glove side.

The U.S. outshot Finland, 15-4, in the second period.

A scoreless third period led to overtime, as Augustine and Rimpinen combined for 16 saves in the final 20 minutes of regulation.

Stiga secured gold for the U.S. with his first goal of the tournament at 8:04 of the overtime frame, as he cashed in through the five-hole on a breakaway opportunity set up by a stretch pass from Zeev Buium (San Diego, Calif./University of Denver).

Augustine finished with 21 saves to pick up his 12th career win in the World Juniors, top all-time among American netminders.

NOTES: Teddy Stiga, who scored the game-winning overtime goal, was named U.S. Player of the Game … Ryan Leonard, who finished the tournament with 10 points (5g, 5a) was named tournament MVP … Leonard, Cole Hutson and Gabe Perreault were named to the Media All-Star Team … Leonard earned the Directorate Award as the Best Forward in the Tournament …. Team USA outshot Finland, 40-24 … The U.S. did not have a power play opportunity in the contest, while Finland went 1-for-1 … Team USA won its seventh gold medal in the IIHF World Junior Championship, with the previous six coming in 2024, 2021, 2017, 2013, 2010 and 2004.