World Junior Championship recap: USA beats Czechia, faces Finland for title

United States 4, Czechia 1 – Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) made 26 saves for the United States, which advanced to the World Junior gold medal game for the second straight year.

The United States will attempt to win a seventh tournament and a chance at back-to-back titles for the first time when it faces Finland in the gold medal game at the Canadian Tire Center on Sunday (7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN).

Finland earned a 4-3 overtime victory over the United States in the preliminary round on December 29.

“We talked about [the possibility of winning back-to-back] in our first meeting of the summer, that our country has never done this, and there's a lot of work to be done to get that opportunity back,” U.S. coach David Carle said. “So you start with the end in mind, and then you kind of build your process from there. Our guys believed and were on board throughout, and we continued to get better. I think that's what we're most proud of… putting ourselves in this situation. We deserved it and we can put it all on the line [Sunday] evening.”

The United States is 15-3-1-8 with one tie against Czechia in 28 tournament matches. He extended his streak to 14 consecutive games at the World Juniors without losing in regulation; the last regulatory defeat took place in the semi-finals of the 2023 WJC.

Augustine became the career leader in World Junior wins (11 wins), passing Jack Campbell (10 wins, 2010-12).

“It’s so special, the complete list of goalkeepers who have played for our country,” Augustine said. “Obviously I’m looking to get another gold medal tomorrow and that’s what I’m focused on.”

Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals) and Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers) each had a goal and an assist for the Americans.

“I don’t think we played as well as we should have tonight,” Leonard said. “I guess we're saving it for [Sunday]. I felt like we were kind of up and down and our team knows that. We just have to find a way to step on the gas all game long. [against Finland]”.

Michael Hrabal (Utah Hockey Club) made 21 saves for the Czech Republic, which will face Sweden in the bronze medal game at the Canadian Tire Center on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN).

“I think the United States played a really good game; they didn't really push us too hard, but they played so smart and they were waiting for their chances,” Czech coach Patrik Augusta said. “They didn't cheat for them and we gave it to them at the end. I think it was a close game at 2-1 and I'm a little disappointed that we didn't give ourselves a better chance to finish tie. We made two mistakes on turnovers that probably shouldn't happen in a big game like this if you want to be successful.

Perreault gave the United States a 1-0 lead at 3:14 of the first period. Leonard picked up a puck along the right wing boards, skated by a defender before backhanding a pass through another defender in the right circle to Perreault in the slot for the one-touch goal.

“I was going to support him at first, but then when I saw he was going to be able to get through it completely, I went to the middle and I knew he was going to find me,” Perreault said.

Jakub Stancl (St. Louis Blues) tied the game 1-1 when he stole a clearing attempt from American defenseman Logan Hensler (2025 NHL Draft eligible) at the left point, skated into the left circle and fired a shot into the far top corner. at 9:28 a.m. of the first.

“I just read their defender on the forecheck, and I picked up the puck and I just wanted to put it high in the net, so it went in,” Stancl said. “I think we had some good chances to score. Unfortunately it didn't work out.”

Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders) gave the Americans a 2-1 lead with a power play goal on a one-timer from the high slot after a pass from Trevor Connelly (Vegas Golden Knights) from the left circle at 13:41. the second period.

Augustine's best save came at 12:21 of the third period when he extended his right pad to push Adam Jecho (St. Louis Blues) at the left post.

“It was just kind of a scrum with a loose puck in the corner that came out of the bottom of the point and the guy got a shot, not too hard, and made it difficult to control the rebound,” Augustine said. “At the end of the day, I just try to put any part of my body in front of the net to keep it out of the net.”

Leonard scored from the slot on a pass from Perreault at 15:33 of the third period for a 3-1 lead, and Oliver Moore scored an empty-net goal at 18:53 for the 4-1 final .

I liked our second period, and we just couldn't find a way to extend it,” Carle said. We knew they would have a boost in the third and they did. Trey was excellent in the first 10 minutes of the third before leaving and it was a big relief. [when Leonard scored] and you start to see it come together.

The United States has won seven medals in the last nine World Junior Championships, the best streak in the country's history.

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