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2026 IIHF World Junior Championship

Finland's Clutch Goal In Overtime Defeats USA In World Junior Quarterfinals

Finland's Clutch Goal In Overtime Defeats USA In World Junior Quarterfinals

The quarterfinal round of the 2026 World Junior Championship sees Finland come up with a huge clutch goal to defeat Team USA in overtime! Here is the recap!

Jan 3, 2026 by Madelyn Mendoza
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The 2026 World Junior Championships saw Team USA take on Finland in the quarterfinal game on Jan. 2. After a back and forth three periods of regulation, Finland walked away with a 4-3 victory in overtime. 

It was a relatively quiet opening period that ended scoreless for both teams but saw Team USA on top in the shots on goal category. 

The puck came alive in the second period as Team USA took the lead first as Cole Hutson scored the goal in his first game back in the WJC. Hutson would become the new all-time leading scorer for defensemen for Team USA at the World Juniors. 

Finland would be quick to respond but a goal from Cole Eiserman would put Team USA back on top. Finland would get two back-to-back goals to put the team on top 3-2. 

The US would tie it up in the final two minutes of regulation to send it to overtime. In overtime, the momentum was all with Finland as Arttu Valila came away with the clutch goal to secure the win. 

Hutson, Esierman and Ryker Lee would all lead in goals for the US, each with one. James Hagens led the team in assists with two. 

For Team Finland, Valila, Leo Tuuva, Heikki Ruohonen and Joona Saarelainen each had one goal on the stat sheet. Finland had a multitude of players with assists for tonight. 

With the victory, Finland will advance to the semi-final round of the World Junior Championships on Jan. 4. 

Recap all of the in-game action down below! 

Finland Scores & Wins! Overtime - 62:11

USA 3, Finland 4

Just two minutes in to overtime and Finland takes the lead once again. 

Arttu Valila scores for Finland to secure the win! He is assisted by Matias Vanhanen and Julius Miettinen. 

Start Of Overtime! - Overtime - 60:00

USA 3, Finland 3

The start of overtime is here! As Team USA and Team Finland take the ice again, it's anyone's game all tied up at 3! 

End Of Regulation, Headed To Overtime! 3rd Period - 60:00

USA 3, Finland 3

The end of regulation is here and it is a tight one in this quarterfinal battle! 

The US and Finland will head to overtime with the score tied at 3-3. 

USA Ties It Up Again! 3rd Period - 58:27

USA 3, Finland 3

It is an absolute dogfight in the quarterfinals of the WJC! Team USA has tied it up in the final two minutes of regulation! 

Ryker Lee comes up with the clutch goal! He is assisted by James Hagens and Will Zellers. 

Finland Takes The Lead! 3rd Period - 53:38

USA 2, Finland 3

Finland is on top of the US in the final frame! 

Joona Saarelainen gets the puck in the net to give Finland the late lead! He is assisted by Leo Tuuva and Lasse Boelius. 

Finland Ties It Up! 3rd Period - 52:43

USA 2, Finland 2

As the clock keeps ticking to the final minutes of regulation, Team Finland is not going away without a fight! 

Leo Tuuva ties it up for Finland! He is assisted by Aron Kiviharju and Joona Saarelainen! 

USA Gets Penalty Minutes! 3rd Period - 43:53

USA 2, Finland 1 

Team USA picks up another group of penalty minutes, the first in this third period. 

Will Zellers gets two minutes for interference on a goalkeeper. 

Start Third Period! 3rd Period - 40:00

USA 2, Finland 1 

The final period of regulation is underway! 

Team USA still has a one-goal lead! 

End Second Period! 2nd Period - 40:00

USA 2, Finland 1 

The final buzzer signals the end of the second period! Team USA still leads this one, 2-1. 

The US also leads shots on goal, 20-14. 

Finland Gets Penalty Minutes! 2nd Period - 35:34

USA 2, Finland 1 

Findland snags another set of penalty minutes in this one! 

Kasper Pikkarainen gets two minutes for boarding

Hutson Is Breaking Records In This One!

USA 2, Finland 1 

As the US holds on to a 2-1 lead, all eyes are on Cole Hutson as he is breaking records left and right! Check out this update from FloHockey's Chris Peters!

USA Doubles Up! 2nd Period - 30:15

USA 2, Finland 1

Team USA has a one-goal lead one again! 

Cole Eiserman gets the goal for the US. He is assisted by Cole Hutson and James Hagens!

Finland Responds! 2nd Period - 24:46

USA 1, Finland 1 

Just like that, it's all tied up at the WJC! 

Finland responds quickly after the Team USA goal to tie it up. 

Heikki Ruohonen gets the puck in the net for Finland. He is assisted by Max Westergard. 

Start of Second Period! USA Goal! 2nd Period -20:35

USA 1, Finland 0 

We are back! As the second period gets started, Team USA strikes first! 

Cole Hutson gets the goal in the back of the net in his first game back on the ice! He is assisted by Kamil Bednarik and Brendan McMorrow

With the goal, Hutson has tied Erik Johnson for most career points at the World Junior Championships with 14 points! 

End 1st Period! 1st Period - 20:00

USA 0, Finland 0 

Just as quickly as it started, the opening period is over. It is still scoreless up to this point but the shots have been flying. 

Team USA currently leads the shots on goal race, 12-8. 

USA Gets First Penalty Minutes! 1st Period - 18:25

USA 0, Finland 0 

It still is 0-0 in this quarterfinal clash and Team USA have picked up their first penalty minutes of the day. 

AJ Spellacy gets two minutes for tripping. 

Score Updates From WJC Quarterfinals!

Other quarterfinal games are still going strong so here is an update! 

  • Czechia 4, Switzerland 2 - 3rd Period

Finland Gets First Penalty Minutes! 1st Period - 3:33

USA 0, Finland 0 

Finland has picked up its first penalty minutes of the game. 

Mitja Jokinen gets two minutes for hooking. 

Puck Drop! 1st Period - 0:00

USA 0, Finland 0 

We are officially underway in this quarterfinal clash in the 2026 WJC. 

Nick Kempf will start in goal for Team USA. 

Petteri Rimpinen will start in goal for Finland. 

10 Minutes to Puck Drop!

Just 10 short minutes until puck drop for this quarterfinal clash! 

Score Updates: 

  • Czechia 2, Switzerland 2 - 2ND PERIOD

Team Finland Lineup!

Goalkeepers

  • 1, Kim Saarinen
  • 30, Petteri Rimpinen

Defensemen

  • 2, Mitja Jokinen
  • 6, Juho Piiparinen
  • 7, Daniel Nieminen
  • 13, Veeti Vaisanen
  • 25, Lasse Boelius
  • 33, Aron Kiviharju
  • 34, Arttu Valila

Forwards

  • 10, Roope Vesterinen
  • 12, Joona Saarelainen
  • 18, Onni Kalto
  • 20, Kasper Pikkarainen
  • 21, Max Westergard
  • 22, Emil Hemming
  • 23, Leo Tuuva
  • 27, Julius Miettinen
  • 28, Heikki Ruohonen
  • 29, Jasper Kuhta
  • 35, Atte Joki
  • 37, Matias Vanhanen
  • 38, Oliver Suvanto

Team USA Lineup! 

Goalkeepers

  • 30, Caleb Heil
  • 31, Nick Kempf

Defensemen

  • 2, Luke Osburn
  • 5, Logan Hensler
  • 6, Adam Kleber
  • 14, Asher Barnett
  • 16, EJ Emery
  • 25, Chase Reid
  • 44, Cole Hutson

Forwards

  • 4, Teddy Stiga
  • 8, AJ Spellacy
  • 10, James Hagens
  • 11, Cole McKinney
  • 12, Will Zellers
  • 17, Ryker Lee
  • 18, LJ Mooney
  • 22, Brendan McMorrow
  • 23, Shane Vansaghi
  • 24, Will Horcoff
  • 34, Cole Eiserman
  • 38, Kamil Bednarik
  • 74, Brodie Ziemer

30 Minutes To Puck Drop!

Just 30 minutes to go until puck drop in this quarterfinal game between the US and Finland. Here is a look at the two lineups for these two teams! They will appear up this subhead! 

Quarterfinal Score Updates On Jan. 2

With multiple quarterfinal matchups taking place on Jan. 2, there is plenty of action to keep up with and this article is the place to find all of the score updates so far! 

  • Germany 8, Denmark 4 - FINAL 
  • Sweden 6, Latvia 3 - FINAL 
  • Czechia 0, Switzerland 1 - 1st Period

USA vs. Finland Game Preview by Chris Peters

With just a little over an hour to go until puck drop, this clash will be one for the books. FloHockey's Chris Peters has got a cam preview with all of the top information to know about this matchup on Jan. 2! Check out the full breakdown here! 

Team USA Olympics Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Matt Boldy, F, Minnesota Wild
  • Kyle Connor, F, Winnipeg Jets
  • Jack Eichel, F, Vegas Golden Knights
  • Jake Guentzel, F, Tampa Bay Lightning
  • Jack Hughes, F, New Jersey Devils
  • Clayton Keller, F, Utah Mammoth
  • Dylan Larkin, F, Detroit Red Wings
  • Auston Matthews, F, Toronto Maple Leafs
  • J.T. Miller, F, New York Rangers
  • Brock Nelson, F, Colorado Avalanche
  • Tage Thompson, F, Buffalo Sabres
  • Brady Tkachuk, F, Ottawa Senators
  • Matthew Tkachuk, F, Florida Panthers
  • Vincent Trocheck, F, New York Rangers

Defense

  • Brock Faber, D, Minnesota Wild
  • Noah Hanifin, D, Vegas Golden Knights
  • Quinn Hughes, D, Minnesota Wild
  • Seth Jones, D, Florida Panthers
  • Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins
  • Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators
  • Jaccob Slavin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
  • Zack Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets

Goalies

  • Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets
  • Jake Oettinger, G, Dallas Stars
  • Jeremy Swayman, G, Boston Bruins

Finland Olympics Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Sebastian Aho, F, Carolina Hurricanes
  • Joel Armia, F, Los Angeles Kings
  • Mikael Granlund, F, Anaheim Ducks
  • Erik Haula, F, Nashville Predators
  • Roope Hintz, F, Dallas Stars
  • Kaapo Kakko, F, Seattle Kraken
  • Oliver Kapanen, F, Montreal Canadiens
  • Joel Kiviranta, F, Colorado Avalanche
  • Artturi Lehkonen, F, Colorado Avalance
  • Anton Lundell, F, Florida Panthers
  • Eetu Luostarinen, F, Florida Panthers
  • Mikko Rantanen, F, Dallas Stars
  • Teuvo Teravainen, F, Chicago Blackhawks
  • Eeli Tolvanen, F, Seattle Kraken

Defense

  • Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars
  • Henri Jokiharju, D, Boston Bruins
  • Mikko Lehtonen, D, ZSC Lions
  • Esa Lindell, D, Dallas Stars
  • Olli Maatta, D, Utah Mammoth
  • Nikolas Matinpalo, D, Ottawa Senators
  • Niko Mikkola, D, Florida Panthers
  • Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Philadelphia Flyers

Goalies

  • Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, Buffalo Sabres
  • Kevin Lankinen, G, Vancouver Canucks
  • Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators

USA World Juniors Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Kamil Bednarik, C, Boston University (NYI)
  • Cole Eiserman, LW, Boston University (NYI)
  • James Hagens, C, Boston College (BOS)
  • Will Horcoff, LW, Michigan (PIT)
  • Ryker Lee, RW, Michigan State (NSH)
  • Cole McKinney, C, Michigan (SJS)
  • Brendan McMorrow, RW, Denver (LAK)
  • LJ Mooney, RW, Minnesota (MTL)
  • Max Plante, C/W, Minnesota Duluth (DET)
  • AJ Spellacy, C/W, Windsor Spitfires (CHI)
  • Teddy Stiga, C/W, Boston College (NSH)
  • Shane Vansaghi, LW, Michigan State (PHI)
  • Will Zellers, LW, North Dakota (BOS)
  • Brodie Ziemer, RW, Minnesota (BUF)

Defense

  • Asher Barnett, LHD, Michigan (EDM)
  • EJ Emery, RHD, North Dakota (NYR)
  • Logan Hensler, RHD, Wisconsin (OTT)
  • Cole Hutson, LHD, Boston University (WSH)
  • Adam Kleber, RHD, Minnesota Duluth (BUF)
  • Luke Osburn, LHD, Wisconsin (BUF)
  • Chase Reid, RHD, Soo Greyhounds (2026)
  • Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, LHD, Michigan

Goalies

  • Caleb Heil, G, Madison Capitols (TBL)
  • Nick Kempf, G, Notre Dame (WSH)
  • Brady Knowling, G, U.S. National Under-18 Team (2026)

Finland World Juniors Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Emil Hemming, RW/LW, Barrie Colts (DAL)
  • Atte Joki, C, Lukko Rauma (DAL)
  • Onni Kalto, F, Oshawa Generals
  • Aatos Koivu, C/RW, TPS Turku (MTL)
  • Jasper Kuhta, F, Ottawa 67's
  • Julius Miettinen, C/W, Everett Silvertips (SEA)
  • Kasper Pikkarainen, RW, TPS Turku (NJD)
  • Heikki Ruohonen, C, Harvard (PHI)
  • Joona Saarelainen, C/RW, KalPa Kuopio (TBL)
  • Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara Tampere (2026)
  • Leo Tuuva, RW, Lukko Rauma
  • Matias Vanhanen, F, Everett Silvertips
  • Roope Vesterinen, LW/RW, HPK Hämeenlinna
  • Max Westergård, LW/RW, Frölunda (PHI)

Defense

  • Lasse Boelius, D, Ässät Pori (ANA)
  • Mitja Jokinen, D, TPS Turku
  • Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK Helsinki (MIN)
  • Daniel Nieminen, D, Pelicans Lahti (NSH)
  • Niklas Nykyri, D, HIFK Helsinki
  • Juho Piiparinen, D, Tappara Tampere (2026)
  • Veeti Väisänen, D, Medicine Hat Tigers (UTA)
  • Arttu Välilä, D, Lukko Rauma

Goalies

  • Patrik Kerkola, G, KalPa
  • Petteri Rimpinen, G, Kiekko-Espoo (LAK)
  • Kim Saarinen, G, HPK (SEA)

World Juniors 2026 Standings

Here are the current standings after the games on Friday, Jan. 2.

(Points) W-OTW-OTL-L

Group A

  1. Sweden (12) 4-0-0-0
  2. USA (9) 3-0-0-1
  3. Switzerland (6) 2-0-0-2
  4. Slovakia (3) 1-0-0-1
  5. Germany (0) 0-0-0-4

Group B

  1. Canada (11) 3-1-0-0
  2. Czechia (8) 2-1-0-1
  3. Finland (7) 2-0-1-1
  4. Latvia (4) 1-0-1-2
  5. Denmark (0) 0-0-0-4

2026 World Juniors Quarterfinal Schedule

Friday, January 2

  • 12:30 p.m. ET - Germany vs. Denmark
  • 2:00 p.m. ET Sweden vs. Latvia
  • 4:30 p.m. ET Czechia vs. Switzerland
  • 6:00 p.m. ET USA vs. Finland
  • 8:30 p.m. ET Canada vs. Slovakia

2026 World Juniors Medal Round Schedule, Semifinals and Final

Sunday, January 4

  • 4:30 p.m. ET - Semifinals Game 1
  • 8:30 p.m. ET - Semifinals Game 2

Monday, January 5

  • 4:30 p.m. ET - Bronze Medal Game
  • 8:30 p.m. ET - Gold Medal Game

Follow FloHockey's Coverage Of The 2026 World Junior Championship

FloHockey will be on site for complete coverage of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can expect game-by-game coverage of both Team USA and Team Canada from FloHockey's experts, interviews with key players and coaches and much more. Follow FloHockey's WJC coverage here.

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

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