On Sunday night, the United States will play Finland in the World Junior Hockey Championship final.
It will be a rematch of their group play match on December 29, when Tuomas Uronen (Vegas Golden Knights) scored in overtime to win 5-4 for Finland. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.
At 3:30 p.m., Czechia will play Sweden in the bronze medal match.
The NHL Network will broadcast both games, and you can watch them live on ESPN+, Fubo TV (add-on, free trial), Sling TV (add-on, free trial), and DirecTV Stream (add-on, free trial, and discount).
The defending champion United States defeated Czechia 4-1 on Saturday night to progress to the world junior hockey championship final after Cole Eiserman broke a second-period stalemate.
The Americans had goals and assists from Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. Trey Augustine of Michigan State made 26 saves, and Oliver Moore of Minnesota also scored.
Sweden forward Linus Eriksson leaps through the air after clipping the net during the first period of a semifinal game at the world junior hockey tournament on Saturday, January 4, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario, as Finland goalie Petteri Rimpinen watches. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld via AP)AP
The Americans are aiming for their first back-to-back titles and sixth overall.
Perreault, who also played the previous season, stated that it would mean the world. Without a doubt, we have the team to complete it. We’ll be prepared to leave.
Finland defeated Sweden 4-3 in the first semifinal thanks to a power play goal by Benjamin Rautiainen at 9:22 of overtime.
A game of consolation
Championship
On December 29, goalie Petteri Rimpinen (2025 draft eligible) made 30 saves in Finland’s 5-4 victory over the United States. Playing every minute of all six games, the man known as Showtime leads the tournament with a save percentage of.939.
“He’s the primary reason we’re here,” Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Emil Pieniniemi stated. Every game is an absolute blast.
Lauri Mikkola, the coach of Finland, stated that he is not concerned about Rimpinen’s fatigue because Sunday is his seventh game in 11 days, including his second back-to-back day.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025, in Ottawa, Ontario, United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) celebrates his goal with teammates James Hagens (12) and Gabe Perreault (34) during the third period of their World Junior hockey tournament semifinal matchup against Czechia. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick via AP)AP
According to nhl.com, Mikkola stated, “This is how often we’re playing there,” referring to his extensive play in the Finnish league [with K-Espoo]. Thus, it’s typical for him. Showtime has no issues with that.
Together with James Hagens (four goals, four assists), a potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard (five goals, three assists), Perreault (three goals, six assists) is a member of the U.S.’s top line, which has been among the most active in the competition.
Against a Finland team that only managed 19 goals but is opportunistic and led by Jesse Kiiskinen (Detroit Red Wings) with six points (five goals, one assist) in six games and Konsta Helenius (Buffalo Sabres) with seven assists, including four in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime victory over Sweden, puck management will be crucial.
Perreault stated, “We know they’re obviously a good team, and they can score pretty quick in transition.” I believe we should be in a good place if we simply play our game and clean up the puck management turnovers we had.
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