Gothenburg, Sweden – The 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship is down to the final four teams. After some surprising results in the quarterfinals, the top two seeds remain, but the upset has created an unexpected matchup at this stage of the medal round.
The U.S. team will face Finland late in Thursday’s game, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. ET on NHL Network in the United States.
The American is coming off a record-setting qualifying round in which he scored 29 goals. This is the most goals by an American team in that round since the World Juniors became a 10-team tournament in 1996. They have advanced to the semi-finals thanks to: Easy victory over Latvia 7-2.
Finland, on the other hand, lost both of their first two games in the qualifying round, including a surprising upset against Germany, who had never beaten Finland before in this competition. The Finns bounced back with a win against Latvia and a stunning penalty shootout win against hosts Sweden to secure third place in their group. In the quarterfinals, Finland defeated Slovakia in an incredibly close game, but captain Jere Lasila stopped the match 24 seconds into extra time.
The USA and Finland have had some epic battles at the World Juniors, but this one will definitely be a test for both teams. America’s scoring attack has remained unstoppable in this tournament, averaging more than seven goals per game. Finland, on the other hand, have shown improvement in their last three games.
To prepare for another traditional semifinal, here’s what you need to know ahead of Thursday’s matchup.
2024 World Junior Semi-Final Match Schedule
Thursday, January 4th
Sweden vs. Czech Republic, 9 a.m. ET, Scandinavia
USA vs. Finland, 1:30 p.m. ET, Scandinavia
America’s scoring attack is strong
Team USA has scored 36 goals so far this tournament, averaging 7.2 goals per game. Additionally, through the first five games of the tournament, no team has come within 30 of 203 shots on goal.
What is impressive about the scores is that they are spread out. In this tournament he is one of 15 different players to score for Team USA, and all 20 skaters have at least one of his points.
This team has always been expected to score a lot of points. They have forwards who can do it, they have a mobile blue line that is good at raking and moving the ice, and they have experience. They now have to prepare for one of the toughest games from a defensive standpoint.
of @BC_M Hockey The line does what they have to do and Will Smith gets the puck just over the line to make it 5-1 #TeamUSA 🇺🇸#World Juniorpic.twitter.com/fUuM0VlEO2
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) January 2, 2024
Finland’s characteristic is that they always defend as a team and jump on mistakes. The U.S. will need to protect the puck even more against a Finnish team that can fight back with all its might.
America has a clear advantage in speed and skill, but Finland has enough size and enough players to be able to match America’s stride. The Finns are solid enough defensively, but they don’t have a solid D corps with a lot of stoppers.
The United States will also have to face goaltender Niklas Kokko (Southeast Asia), who has not played his best game yet in this tournament. When he’s on, he’s a great netminder who doesn’t give up easily. He’s going to face a lot of shots, but he’ll have an easier day if Finland can keep the Americans on the outside.
America’s challenge is to get to the middle of the ice, wreak havoc in front of the net, and score some dirty goals. They showed that ability more than in any previous game against Latvia, but the Americans’ ability to score in a variety of ways will challenge Finland.
Issues with Finland’s counter attack and forecheck
Finland has scored half as many goals as the United States in games 18 through 5 this year. They’re not going to run and shoot with Team USA. Instead, they will look to pick their spots and challenge the American defense with an excellent forecheck.
Some of Finland’s goals against Slovakia came thanks to an aggressive forecheck and the ability to fish the puck out of the corner and play it before the opposing team was set. They also showed the ability to capitalize on mistakes and counter-attack in transition.
Captain wins!
Jere Lasila is the hero in OT as Finland ends Slovakia’s impressive tournament in the quarter-finals!#World Junior pic.twitter.com/EMT6eSv6C3
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2024
America’s offensive blue line is a bit prone to turnovers, leading to an odd number of chances. Finland will make a living there. They have some real speedsters, but more than that, they have size. Players like Jani Nyman (SEA) and Kasper Haltunen (SJS) will give the American defenders their all.
If the Americans struggle to pack the ice, they also won’t be able to get their forwards to participate in transition. The American team’s speed has to start with good retrieval and escape from the defense. If Finland can slow its pace even a little, it will be difficult for the U.S. to establish the offensive identity that has helped it make it through the tournament somewhat comfortably thus far.
Who will be Team USA’s starters in the semifinals?
One of the biggest questions for Team USA was which of the two talented college goalies would start. Jacob Fowler (MTL) started in the quarterfinals against Latvia, but when asked if that meant Fowler had earned the No. 1 job, head coach David Karl gave a clear answer. Didn’t show it.
The truth is, the U.S. is honestly happy with both goaltenders. Augustin has played on bigger stages and in more difficult visiting environments. With Canada withdrawing from the tournament, the main target of remaining fans’ anger is the United States.
In this tournament, Fowler has started three games and has a save percentage of .889, while Augustin has started two games and has a save percentage of .952. Augustin also has a 6-1 record in his world junior career. Both are among the top goaltenders in the NCAA this season, with Fowler having better numbers at No. 1 Boston College.
At the moment, it is not at all clear which of the two players will take part in the match against Finland.
Players to watch in the U.S. vs. Finland semifinals
Cutter Gauthier, C, USA (PHI) – Currently leading the world juniors with 10 points, Gauthier does most of his point damage with assists. With just one goal so far in this tournament, America’s No. 1 center is making shots, but none of them are falling. Gauthier may have a breakout day, as he’s currently shooting less than 5% from the field. Gauthier is shooting nearly 14 percent for the rest of the season. Those bullets could start coming down on him at any moment, and if that happens, you have to think that a very dangerous U.S. attack will become even more dangerous.
Name a better duo than Root and Kat.
You can’t.Build friendships like Rutger McGroarty and Cutter Gauthier in 2024.#TeamUSA 🇺🇸 #World Junior #WJC #IIHF pic.twitter.com/1Bum9DA9Ms
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) January 1, 2024
Leni Hamenaho, RW, Finland (NJ) – After a lackluster start to the tournament, Hamenaho has scored four points in his last three games, including a big goal in the quarterfinals against Slovakia. He can be a threat on the forecheck and on the net front. He plays a balanced game and can make it difficult for opponents on both ends of the ice. He’s playing better now and should be an even bigger threat in this match.
Lane Hutson, Democrat, USA (MTL) – Hutson is the U.S. minutes leader, averaging over 23 minutes per game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays over 25-27 minutes against Finland . Hutson has scored points in all but one game so far, but he hasn’t impacted as many games as he did in the NCAAs. Although his dynamic puck skills and shot-through ability have quickly become apparent, we have yet to see Hutson take over the game as we have seen so often over the past two years at BU. not. He may need to do it when America needs it most.
Jani Nyman, RW, Finland (Southeast Asia) – Finland epitomizes size with seven forwards over 6-foot-1, and Nyman is one of the biggest. He has scored four goals in this tournament and has been a scoring threat in many games. If a player like him can establish the forecheck and play in transition, Finland will have a better chance of defeating the high-scoring Americans.
2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship Finals
The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal match begins January 5th at 9 a.m. ET.
The Gold Medal Game will be held at 1:30 PM ET.
2023-2024 World Junior Stream
The World Junior Championship will be broadcast on NHL Network in the United States. Select games will be available on ESPN+.
World Junior Hockey on TSN in Canada
In Canada, the event will be televised on TSN and streamed on TSN+.