Cutter Gauthier (Boston College) scores on a power play with 3:13 left in the third period to lead the U.S. Junior Team to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory in the semifinals of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Frolundaborg was played Thursday night in Gothenburg, Sweden, sending the United States to tomorrow’s gold medal game against Sweden.
“I’m proud of my players,” U.S. head coach David Karl of Denver, whose team led 2-0 after the first 20 minutes, said in a news release. “Despite being depressed, I didn’t let my menarche bother me and the room didn’t panic. Our special teams and goaltending were great, so we’re going to go for the gold tomorrow.” I’m excited to have the opportunity to play.”
The Americans nearly took the lead just over a minute into the game after Gavin Brindley (Michigan State) had a great chance from inside the circle following a feed from Frank Nazar (Mich. State). Finnish netminder Niklas Kokko scored the goal. keep.
After a turnover in front of American netminder Trey Augustin (Michigan State), Oiva Keskinen rebounded the first shot at 1:51.
At 12:45, Finland’s Rasmus Kumplainen deflected a shot from the point in front of the crease, giving Finland a 1–0 lead.
Will Smith (Boston University) almost gave the United States the lead early in the second when he was found by Ryan Leonard (Boston University) on a 2-on-1, but Smith’s shot went wide of the net.
At 12:10, the USA scored their first goal of the game on a power play. Smith handled the puck in the corner and passed it to Seamus Casey (Michigan State), at which point he sent a cross-ice feed to Jimmy Snageld (Minnesota), who scored a one-time goal from the top of the circle. The lead was cut to two points. -1.
Team USA had Ryan Chesley (Minnesota) send the puck from the point to the corner and Gabe Perreault (Boston College) threaded a pass across the slot to Smith, leaving an empty net for Smith. Fill the pack. The American team had 14 shots on net in midfield, limiting Finland to just three shots.
Finland went into a power play at 4:48 into the third period, but the Americans shut it out.
The United States had its second power play of the game with five minutes left in regulation time, with Gauthier firing a shot from inside the circle into the top corner, with Hutson and Brindley contributing assists.
Finland had a power play opportunity with 2:33 remaining, drawing the netminder on the man advantage for a 6-on-4 advantage. The U.S. penalty kill, led by Augustin who made a great toe save late in the game, remained solid and will send Team USA to the gold medal game tomorrow at 7:30 pm local/1:30 pm ET on NHL Network. is.
Augustin earned his seventh career World Junior win and made 19 saves.
Note: After the game, three Team USA Players of the Tournament were named, including Gauthier, Brindley, and Lane Hutson (Boston University)… Gauthier was named United States Player of the Year … The United States defeated Finland 30-21 … The United States scored two points on the power play, but Finland was 2-0.