OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Teddy Stiga scored on a breakaway at 8:04 of 3-on-3 overtime to give the United States a 4-3 victory over Finland on Sunday night in the world junior hockey championship game.
The Boston College winger — a healthy scratch at the start of the tournament — collected a forward pass from Denver's Zeev Buium and beat goalie Petteri Rimpinen through the leg pads to end it.
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United States players pose for a group photo with the trophy following their IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game win over Finland, in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States players reach for the trophy following their IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game win over Finland, in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States’ forward Teddy Stiga (2) scores the game-winning goal on Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) to end overtime the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Kasper Halttunen (22) with teammates Jesse Nurmi (24) and Kalle Kangas (3) react after their overtime loss to the United States in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) hoists the trophy following their IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game win over Finland in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States players pose for a group photo with the trophy following the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game win over Finland, in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States players celebrate after their overtime win over Finland in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland defenseman Mitja Jokinen (2) takes down United States forward Trevor Connelly (19) in front of Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen, top, during first-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) makes a save against United States forward James Hagens (12) during third-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) makes a save against United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) during third-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland players react following their overtime loss in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game against the United States in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland defenseman Aron Kiviharju (33) consoles Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) following their overtime loss to the United States in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland players react following their overtime loss in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game against the United States in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen, right, makes a save against United States forward Ryan Leonard during third-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States players celebrate after their overtime win over Finland in IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Teddy Stiga (2) celebrates scoring the game-winning goal on Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) to end overtime IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Czechia forward Eduard Sale (12) celebrates his game-winning goal with teammate Czechia forward Jakub Stancl (21) as they win the World Junior hockey championship bronze medal penalty shot shootout against Sweden, in Ottawa, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Czechia players touch the trophy after they defeated Sweden to take the World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Czechia forward Eduard Sale (12) scores the game-winning goal against Sweden goaltender Marcus Gidlof (1) to win the World Junior hockey championship bronze medal penalty shot shootout, in Ottawa, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States forward James Hagens (12) gets high-fives from the bench after scoring against Finland during first-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland defenseman Emil Pieniniemi (10) fires the puck over United States goaltender Trey Augustine (1) during first-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States defenseman Cole Hutson (24) celebrates after his goal as he skates past Finland forward Jesse Kiiskinen (38) during second-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forwards Topias Hynninen (21) and Benjamin Rautiainen (37) fight United States defenseman Aram Minnetian (14) and forward Brandon Svoboda (8) for the puck during second-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) looks on as teammate Emil Hemming (32) controls the puck away from United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) during third-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland defenseman Aron Kiviharju (33) blocks a shot against teammate Petteri Rimpinen (30) as United States forward Brandon Svoboda (8) and Max Plante (22) rush the net during third -period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
“You got to find a role,” Stiga said. “Trying to do what I could do best to help the team win. It wasn’t always points and scoring. Being able to top it off with one there was pretty cool.”
The Americans avenged a 4-3 overtime loss to Finland in group play, overcoming a two-goal deficit in the second period to win their second straight title and seventh overall.
“Dynasty … it’s sick,” said Ryan Leonard, the U.S. captain from BC who was the tournament MVP. “There’s no better feeling. We wanted to do something that’s never been accomplished. It’s crazy.”
Boston University teammates Brandon Svoboda and Cole Hutson scored late in the second period to tie it. Svoboda cut it to 3-2 with 2:22 left on a deflected shot, and Hutson fired a wrist shot from the slot past Rimpinen with 29 seconds remaining.
“Pure joy for the guys,” coach David Carle of Denver said. “It’s all worth it. ... I’m really proud. They’ll walk together forever.”
Michigan State’s Trey Augustine made 21 saves.
“They played really well, but we stuck with it,” Augustine said. “We were down 3-1, which isn’t ideal, but we capitalized in overtime. It’s unbelievable. There’s no better feeling. They took it to us in the first period, but the last 40 and overtime, we handled the play.”
Tuomas Uronen gave Finland a 2-1 lead with 6:57 left in the first period, 59 seconds after Boston College’s James Hagens tied it for the United States. Emil Pieniniemi made it 3-1 at 4:52 of the second.
Jesse Kiiskinen opened the scoring at 7:13.
“We kept just growing up day-by-day,” Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju said. “We were really close to getting the most shining medal. Not this time, but I’m really proud of everybody on this team.”
In the third-place game, Eduard Sale scored in the 14th round of a shootout to give Czechia a 3-2 victory over Sweden on Sunday in the third-place game at the world junior hockey championship. The Czech captain beat Marcus Gidlof on his fifth attempt — and 28th between the teams — with a move to the backhand.
The 2026 tournament will be in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
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United States players pose for a group photo with the trophy following their IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game win over Finland, in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States players reach for the trophy following their IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game win over Finland, in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States’ forward Teddy Stiga (2) scores the game-winning goal on Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) to end overtime the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forward Kasper Halttunen (22) with teammates Jesse Nurmi (24) and Kalle Kangas (3) react after their overtime loss to the United States in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) hoists the trophy following their IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game win over Finland in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States players pose for a group photo with the trophy following the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game win over Finland, in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States players celebrate after their overtime win over Finland in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland defenseman Mitja Jokinen (2) takes down United States forward Trevor Connelly (19) in front of Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen, top, during first-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) makes a save against United States forward James Hagens (12) during third-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) makes a save against United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) during third-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland players react following their overtime loss in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game against the United States in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland defenseman Aron Kiviharju (33) consoles Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) following their overtime loss to the United States in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland players react following their overtime loss in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game against the United States in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen, right, makes a save against United States forward Ryan Leonard during third-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States players celebrate after their overtime win over Finland in IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
USA forward Teddy Stiga (2) celebrates scoring the game-winning goal on Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) to end overtime IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Czechia forward Eduard Sale (12) celebrates his game-winning goal with teammate Czechia forward Jakub Stancl (21) as they win the World Junior hockey championship bronze medal penalty shot shootout against Sweden, in Ottawa, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Czechia players touch the trophy after they defeated Sweden to take the World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Czechia forward Eduard Sale (12) scores the game-winning goal against Sweden goaltender Marcus Gidlof (1) to win the World Junior hockey championship bronze medal penalty shot shootout, in Ottawa, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States forward James Hagens (12) gets high-fives from the bench after scoring against Finland during first-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland defenseman Emil Pieniniemi (10) fires the puck over United States goaltender Trey Augustine (1) during first-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States defenseman Cole Hutson (24) celebrates after his goal as he skates past Finland forward Jesse Kiiskinen (38) during second-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland forwards Topias Hynninen (21) and Benjamin Rautiainen (37) fight United States defenseman Aram Minnetian (14) and forward Brandon Svoboda (8) for the puck during second-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland goaltender Petteri Rimpinen (30) looks on as teammate Emil Hemming (32) controls the puck away from United States forward Ryan Leonard (9) during third-period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland defenseman Aron Kiviharju (33) blocks a shot against teammate Petteri Rimpinen (30) as United States forward Brandon Svoboda (8) and Max Plante (22) rush the net during third -period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
