United States repeats as world junior hockey champion, defeating Finland in overtime

OTTAWA – Teddy Stiga scored on an overtime breakaway Sunday, giving the United States a 4-3 victory over Finland and a second consecutive gold medal at the World Junior Championship.

The United States will go for three in a row in 2026 in Minnesota. The tournament will be played in Xcel Energy Center and at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

Finland dominated the first period Sunday and led 2-1, and it added to its lead on a goal by Emil Pieniniemi in the second period, before the United States pushed back.

Cole Hutson tied it with with 29 seconds left in the second period, with a shot off the post after Ryan Leonard rushed the puck into the zone. Wild draft pick Zeev Buium also got an assist.

Just 1:53 earlier, Brandon Svoboda scored for the United States, assisted by Max Plante, a Hermantown High School product who plays in college for Minnesota Duluth.

The United States dominated the second period, outshooting Finland 15-4, and in regulation the U.S. led in shots 34-22.

Jesse Kiiskinen and Tuomas Uronen scored for Finland in the first period, on each side of a goal by the United States’ James Hagens.

The U.S. and Finland also went to OT in the preliminary round, the Finns winning 4-3.