A Chance at Gold and Redemption for Team USA

Credit: Rena Laverty/USHL

Team USA is back in the final game of the World Junior Hockey Championships for the second straight year.

In yesterday’s semi-final, they beat Finland by a score of 4-3 in what was an exhilarating hockey game.

Team USA Defeats Finland | World Junior Hockey Championships

Team USA had the lead, 3-1, going into the third period, courtesy of goals from alternate captain Alex Turcotte, John Farinacci and Matthew Boldy. However, Finland found the back of the net twice in the third. This made it a tie game with under four minutes to play.

Team USA was able to fend off the Finnish surge. Turcotte played the hero, netting his second of the night with just over one minute remaining. 

Team USA goaltender Spencer Knight was solid in net all night, as he has been all tournament, making 33-of-36 saves (.916%)

The victory was extra sweet for the mainstays of this U20 squad, as Finland was the team who narrowly edged out the USA in the 2019 Finals, beating them, 3-2.

Redemption Against Canada

They will now face a juggernaut in Team Canada, who have not lost all tournament (6-0). Canada also has wildly outscored its opponents, 41-4, including a 16-2 victory over Germany and a 10-0 victory over Switzerland.

Team Canada goaltender Devon Levi will present the biggest challenge for Team USA.

During Canada’s 5-0 route of Russia in yesterday’s semi-final game, he tied a WJC record for posting his third shutout of the tournament. Even more impressive is that he has allowed just three goals on 116 shots faced (.974%).

This game is going to be absolutely CAN’T MISS. Puck drops tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET, on NHL Network.