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Detroit Red Wings Patrick Kane, James van Riemsdyk, Dec. 30, 2025 in Detroit.
The United States’ run at the 2026 world junior hockey championship is over.
Finland pulled off a 4-3 overtime victory on Friday, Jan. 2, after a wild third period in which the Finns rallied for a 3-2 lead only to see the USA tie the game.
The overtime didn’t last long as defenseman Arttu Valila scored his first goal and point of the tournament at 2:11 to send the host USA home empty-handed with a quarterfinal loss.
The USA had brought back eight players from the 2025 team that beat Finland 4-3 in overtime for a second consecutive gold medal. That group included defenseman Cole Hutson, who returned on Friday from a scary injury that he suffered in the tournament’s second game.
Hutson showed his importance by recording a goal and an assist in the second period, and the USA led 2-1 after two periods.
But Finland struck with two goals in 55 seconds in the third period (Leo Tuuva had a goal and assist) to take a 3-2 lead. The USA tied the game on a Ryker Lee goal with 1:33 left, forcing overtime.
The USA couldn’t match last year’s overtime result as Finland ended the Americans’ three-peat bid and advanced to the semifinals against an opponent to be determined.
USA TODAY provided live coverage of the USA vs. Finland game. Here are the highlights:
The semifinals are on Sunday, Jan. 4. Sweden, Czechia and Finland have advanced, and Canada has a big lead on Slovakia in the quarterfinals. The semifinals are re-seeded so No. 1 Sweden would face the lowest remaining seed.
James Hagens, Will Zellers and Brodie Ziemer are named the USA’s best players of the tournament.
The USA’s three-peat bid at the world junior championships is over. Arttu Valila scores at 2:11 for a 4-3 win. That’s the same score by which the USA had beaten Finland in last year’s gold medal game. Finland advances to the semifinals.
USA chants start as 3-on-3 overtime begins.
Big turn of events in that period. The USA seemed in control, but Finland scored twice in 55 seconds to go up 3-2. With less than two minutes left, Ryker Lee ties the game after a U.S. rush up the ice. We’re heading to overtime. How overtime works
Will Zellers makes a nice rush down the ice. James Hagens picks up the puck behind the net and feeds Ryker Lee for the goal with 1:33 left. USA 3, Finland 3
He stops a 2-on-1 break with less than three minutes left.
That’s two goals in 55 seconds for Finland. Leo Tuuva sets up Joona Saarelainen. Finland 3, USA 2
Aron Kiviharju makes a nice backdoor pass to Leo Tuuva with 7:17 left in the third period. USA 2, Finland 2
The USA’s McMorrow blocked a shot with his hand and he’s not on the bench.
The Czechs win 6-2 to advance to the semifinals. They rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits. Their opponent is to be determined.
Will Zellers is called for goaltender interference. Finland is 0-for-1 on the power play in this game. USA kills it off.
USA leads 2-1. Eight of the last 10 games between these teams have been one-goal games.
Cole Hutson showed why the USA missed him while he was out 2½ games after his injury scare. He picked up a goal and assist in that period. The smooth-skating defenseman joined the rush to open the scoring and he skated down to low in the faceoff circle to set up Cole Eiserman’s go-ahead goal.
Kasper Pikkarainen is called for boarding Logan Hensler. It’s reviewed and ruled only a two-minutes penalty. The USA is 1-for-2 so far in the game. Finland kills it off.
Cole Hutson carries the puck to the bottom of the faceoff circle on a power play and feeds Cole Eiserman in front. That’s two points by Hutson in this game, giving him the U.S. record for most career points by a defenseman at the tournament. USA 2, Finland 1
Finland called for too many men on the ice.
Heikki Ruohonen scores from the faceoff circle after a pass from Max Westergard. USA 1, Finland 1
He rushes up the ice, takes a pass from Kamil Bednarik and rips a shot past Petteri Rimpinen. It’s his 14th point in world juniors history, tying him with Erik Johnson for the USA record for a defenseman. USA 1, Finland 0
Scoreless. USA is short-handed for 25 seconds. Now it’s even strength.
USA outshoots Finland 12-8 in that period. Cole Hutson looks good moving the puck. The USA had a couple turnovers, but goalie Nick Kempf keeps it scoreless.
AJ Spellacy is called for tripping. The USA gave up three power-play goals by Sweden in the last game. The USA kills the first part of the penalty but 25 seconds will spill into the second period.
AJ Spellacy breaks in with speed, but Petteri Rimpinen makes a save. Still scoreless with five minutes left in the first period.
He stops Heikki Ruohonen in tight after a USA turnover.
Mitja Jokinen is called for hooking. Cole Hutson was on the ice at the time of the call, so he’s not on the power play unit to start, but he’s out there now. Finland kills it off.
It’s win or go home.
What channel is USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game today?
TV channel:Â NHL Network
Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.
Watch world junior championships on Fubo
What time is USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game today?
Date:Â Friday, Jan. 2
Time:Â 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)
The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.
World juniors USA vs. Finland: How to watch, stream
Time:Â 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 2
Location:Â Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
TV:Â NHL Network
Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.
World junior championships quarterfinals today
Jan. 2
The U.S. and Finland have met 40 times previously, with Team USA having a 20-19-1 advantage. They split games in last year’s tournament, but the USA won 4-3 in overtime for its second consecutive gold medal.
The USA defenseman told NHL Network it has been a “pretty tough week, lots of emotions” as he returns for the first time since his injury in the Switzerland game.
Asked how he would manage expectations on Friday, he said: “I think it’s keeping it simple for the first few shifts, make sure I’m not trying anything too crazy. Hopefully then my game will come out soon and somehow I’ll help the team win.”
Petteri Rimpinen, the top goalie of the 2025 tournament, is expected to start against the USA. Like last year, he has played every minute. The Kings draft pick has a 2.49 goals-against average and a .865 save percentage. Those numbers are down from last year.
The USA will go with Notre Dame’s Nick Kempf in net. He has given up only two goals in the tournament, including one on 17 shots in the third period against Sweden after he replaced starter Brady Knowling. He won the second game against Switzerland. He has a 1.54 goals against average and .934 save percentage.Â
Sweden improved to 5-0 after a 6-3 win against Latvia. Blackhawks draft pick Anton Frondell scored 10 seconds into the game and also scored in the third period.
Will Zellers leads the USA with five goals and seven points. He had the game-winning goal in the first three games. Brodie Ziemer (Sabres) has six points and James Hagens (Bruins) has five.
Roope Vesterinen leads Finland with four goals and is tied for the team with five points. Defenseman Lasse Boelius also has five points, including two goals.
The USA defenseman will suit up for the first time since he left the second game on a stretcher after being hit in the head by a puck. Injured forward Max Plante remains day-to-day.
Fifth-place Germany beat beat fifth-place Denmark 8-4 in Friday’s relegation game and will stay in the top level of the world junior championships. Denmark, which had qualified for the tournament this season, moves down one level. It went winless in Minnesota.