General | 1/4/2024 3:24:15 PM
Team USA at 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship | Jan. 4, 2024
Team USA 3, Finland 2 | Semifinal Game
BoxScore
Gothenburg, Sweden —- Team USA trailed early in the game, but rallied to claim a 3-2 win over Finland in semifinal action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden Thursday.
With today’s result, Team USA, which features 22 former players from the USHL, advances to the goal-medal game against host Sweden, which is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 5 at 1:30 p.m. EST.
Finland jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead on goals from Oiva Keskinen and Rasmus Kumpulainen.
Team USA dominated in the second, outshooting Finland 14-3 and tying the game on a power-play goal from Jimmy Snuggerud (USA Hockey NTDP 2020-22) and another from Will Smith (USA Hockey NTDP 2021-23), who scored after taking a pass from Gabe Perreault (USA Hockey NTDP 2021-23) four minutes later.
Cutter Gauthier’s (USA Hockey NTDP 2020-22) power play blast off a pass from Lane Hutson (USA Hockey NTDP 2020-22) with 3:13 left in regulation made it 3-2 and secured the win for Team USA.
Goaltender Trey Augustine (USA Hockey NTDP 2021-23) turned aside 19 of 21 shots to get the decision.
Tomorrow’s game marks the first trip to the final for Team USA since 2021.
Be sure to check out the USA Hockey WJC page for more information.
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