Gothenburg, Sweden – Katter Gauthier (PHI) scores a power-play goal with 3:13 left in regulation to help the United States defeat Finland 3-2 in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship semifinals. The Americans will play host Sweden for the gold medal on Friday.
🚨 To quote #TeamUSA Captain Rutger McGroarty…goalscorer loves to score.
Cutter Gauthier (PHI) leads US 🇺🇸
3-2pic.twitter.com/LiI71c3M6x— FloHockey (@FloHockey) January 4, 2024
The USA did not get off to a good start as Finland made mistakes. Tomi Manisto took advantage of Michigan State roommate Trey Augustin (DET), and Manisto’s shot narrowly crossed the line, resulting in a turnover in the defensive zone that led to Finland’s first goal.
A few minutes later, Rasmus Kumplainen (MIN) redirected his point shot, which went through Augustin and gave Finland a 2-0 advantage.
But the Americans roared back in the second period, taking 14 shots on goal and allowing just three. Jimmy Snageld (STL) made a one-time shot into the top of the net on the power play, cutting the gap in half.
Exactly!
Jimmy Snageld (STL) takes a penalty and scores on the power play!#TeamUSA 🇺🇸 is on the board#World Junior #USAFINpic.twitter.com/UmHqn2ImHl— FloHockey (@FloHockey) January 4, 2024
Team USA tied the score 4:06 later when Gabe Perreault (NYR) found Will Smith (SJS) at the back door. Smith did a great job evading a check and sneaking in where Perrault found the back of the net with a quick pass.
Will Smith (SJS) 🚨 and the Star Spangled Banner tied this together 🫣
2-2#World Junior #USAFIN #TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/zDpACjVNQo
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) January 4, 2024
The third period was incredibly tense, with both teams competing for chances here and there. Getting shots on goal wasn’t easy as the offensive zone was jammed between the faceoff dots. However, Frank Nazar (CHI) took a hooking penalty, forcing the USA into a late power play.
That was the lead they needed, and Gauthier hit a wire shot off a screen from Rutger McGroarty (WPG) that found the back of the net, beating Cocco and putting Team USA ahead.
However, a late penalty call on Gabe Perreault (NYR) kept the game in the air as Finland had a power play of its own in the final minutes. They acquired Cocco as an additional attacker, but didn’t get a good look at Augustin.
As time passed, the celebrations began as the Americans booked their tickets to the gold medal finals.
The U.S. will look to turn things around quickly as it faces Sweden on Friday night at 7:30 p.m., looking to win its first gold medal since 2021.
Stay tuned for a full preview of the gold medal-winning game on FloHockey.
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+.