Finland edges USA 4-3 in OT thriller at World Juniors

USA - Finland 3-4 OT

This high-stakes game saw both teams trade leads in a contest filled with intensity, skill, and drama. Finnish goaltender Petteri Rimpinen stood tall, making 30 saves, while U.S. counterpart Trey Augustine stopped 40 shots but couldn’t deny Uronen’s decisive strike.

Finland struck first at 9:50 of the opening period with a shorthanded goal. Arttu Alasiurua capitalized on a turnover by U.S. forward Trevor Connelly, rifling a wrist shot past Augustine. However, the Americans responded when Carey Terrance tied it at 14:20, showcasing his speed and scoring ability with a solo effort.

The second period was a back-and-forth affair. U.S. defenseman Cole Hutson gave his team a brief lead with a pinpoint shot to make it 2-1, but Finland answered with a power-play deflection by Jesse Kiiskinen and a laser from Julius Miettinen to lead 3-2. Controversy surrounded Miettinen's goal, as U.S. captain Ryan Leonard paused play to protest a perceived offside, but the officials let the goal stand.

The Americans tied the game early in the third period through Brodie Ziemer, who finished a brilliant cross-crease feed from Teddy Stiga. Both teams had chances to seal the game in regulation, with Gabe Perreault ringing a shot off the post and Rimpinen denying Danny Nelson’s one-timer from point-blank range.

In overtime, Hutson nearly set up the game-winner for Nelson, but Rimpinen’s sprawling save kept the Finns alive. Seconds later, Uronen broke free, blasting a wrist shot over Augustine’s glove to secure Finland’s first win over the USA in the World Juniors since 2020.

The win boosts Finland to second place in Group A with one preliminary game remaining against Latvia on New Year’s Eve. The USA, looking to bounce back from their first loss, will face Canada in a much-anticipated showdown to close out their group stage.

This game will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most thrilling encounters of the 2025 tournament, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the group phase.

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