Teddy Stiga scores on OT breakaway to give U.S. 2nd straight world junior title over Finland

Associated Press
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 10:49 p.m. | Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 10:49 p.m.

8087000_web1_8087000-79c9bf47fa674411ae40ceaf2df0334f

The Canadian Press

United States forward James Hagens (12) gets high-fives from the bench after scoring against Finland during first-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario.

8087000_web1_8087000-ef91c2e6703946bfacf4b224d9917f9d

The Canadian Press

Finland defenseman Aron Kiviharju (33) blocks a shot against teammate Petteri Rimpinen (30) as United States forward Brandon Svoboda (8) and Max Plante (22) rush the net during third -period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario.

8087000_web1_8087000-669e4cde28b34d678c12f1c2c52623b4

The Canadian Press

Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) looks on as teammate Emil Hemming (32) controls the puck away from United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) during third-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

8087000_web1_8087000-9ac8428270744ba6af162587e663d45c

The Canadian Press

Finland forwards Topias Hynninen (21) and Benjamin Rautiainen (37) fight United States defenseman Aram Minnetian (14) and forward Brandon Svoboda (8) for the puck during second-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

8087000_web1_8087000-cc121c01d73e48baa802fa9808f3f991

The Canadian Press

United States defenseman Cole Hutson (24) celebrates after his goal as he skates past Finland forward Jesse Kiiskinen (38) during second-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

8087000_web1_8087000-2f6c2ad289724962a63b94ef6772f241

The Canadian Press

Finland defenseman Emil Pieniniemi (10) fires the puck over United States goaltender Trey Augustine (1) during first-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

OTTAWA, Ontario — Teddy Stiga scored on a breakaway at 8:04 of 3-on-3 overtime to give the United States a 4-3 victory over Finland on Sunday night in the world junior hockey championship game.

The Boston College forward beat goalie Petteri Rimpinen through the leg pads to end it.

The Americans avenged a 4-3 overtime loss to Finland in group play, overcoming a two-goal deficit in the second period to win their second straight title and seventh overall.

TEDDY STIGA GOLDEN GOAL!

TEAM USA WINS BACK-TO-BACK WORLD JUNIORS GOLD MEDALS! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/0t0kZgI5Rh

— ESPN (@espn) January 6, 2025

Boston University teammates Brandon Svoboda and Cole Hutson scored late in the second period to tie it. Svoboda cut it to 3-2 with 2:22 left on a deflected shot, and Hutson fired a wrist shot from the slot past Rimpinen with 29 seconds remaining.

Michigan State’s Trey Augustine made 20 saves.

Tuomas Uronen gave Finland a 2-1 lead with 6:57 left in the first period, 59 seconds after Boston College’s James Hagens tied it for the United States. Emil Pieniniemi made it 3-1 at 4:52 of the second.

Jesse Kiiskinen opened the scoring at 7:13.

Ryan Leonard has been named MVP of the 2025 #WorldJuniors! ???????? pic.twitter.com/HBKkH7MiJt

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 6, 2025

In the third-place game, Eduard Sale scored in the 14th round of a shootout to give Czechia a 3-2 victory over Sweden on Sunday in the third-place game at the world junior hockey championship. The Czech captain beat Marcus Gidlof on his fifth attempt — and 28th between the teams — with a move to the backhand.