2025 World Juniors: Top standouts from USA vs. Finland
A wickedly fast-paced game had both teams off to a hot start, but it was Finland who would with the 4-3 overtime win.
No team will finish with a perfect record in Group A, with the United States moving to 2-0-1-0. With two days left in the round-robin, it still looks like a three-horse race between Canada, Finland and the United States, which should keep things interesting.
It was the Finns who started the game off on the right foot. After a bad turnover by Trevor Connelly, Arttu Alasiurua broke in through the middle and beat Trey Augustine for a shorthanded goal to make it 1-0. The lead wouldn’t last long, though, as USA’s Carey Terrance dazzled into the offensive zone and rifled a puck home to tie the game at 1-1 before the end of the frame.
The second period started quick with Cole Hutson ripping home the puck to give the USA the 2-1 lead. But just like in the first, the advantage wouldn’t last long as Jesse Kiiskinen tied it up at 2-2 on a nice play from Emil Pieniniemi on the powerplay. The Finns would add one more to the scoresheet before closing out the second period, as Julius Miettinen notched a goal to make it 3-2.
The Americans tied the game again early in the third period when Brodie Ziemer tapped a puck home for his third of the tourney on a nice play from Teddy Stiga and Oliver Moore. The third was back and forth on both ends, with both Augustine and Petteri Rimpinen coming up clutch to make huge saves for their teams.
Overtime was fast-paced on both ends, but Tuomas Uronen would get the winner for the Finns after wiring a shot home on a 2-on-1 to beat Augustine.
USA
#10 Carey Terrance, C (Anaheim Ducks): Terrance dazzled through the offensive zone to give the Americans their first goal of the game. Terrance cut to the middle and released an absolutely wicked shot to beat Rimpinen. Terrance has two goals in three games now, which is good for someone pegged as more of a depth option.
#24 Cole Hutson, D (Washington Capitals): This kid is just so incredible. Hutson absolutely wired a shot into the top corner to make it 2-1 USA. Hutson has been arguably the USA’s best player at this event, and definitely the best defender. The Capitals prospect – who is eligible to return in 2026 – is up to six points in three games.
#74 Brodie Ziemer, RW (Buffalo Sabres): Ziemer is so fun to watch. The Sabres prospect has three goals in three games, including a momentum-changing goal midway through today’s game. He might not be flashy or overly
Finland
#38 Jesse Kiiskinen, RW (Detroit Red Wings): The flashy Finn was able to position himself accordingly on the powerplay when Emil Pieniniemi fired a shot from the blue line, and Kiiskinen deflected it past Augustine. The Red Wings prospect has two goals in three games, and they’ll be relying on him to produce as the tournament wears on.
#10 Emil Pieniniemi, D (Pittsburgh Penguins): The Kingston Frontenacs defender got his name on the scoresheet with a big assist on Kiiskinen’s goal. Pieniniemi has been very mobile and running the Finns’ power play with poise throughout the tournament. For the most part, he’s been Finland’s best defenseman, especially in the last two games.
#22 Kasper Halttunen, RW (San Jose Sharks): The London Knights forward was able to pick up an assist for his first point of the tournament on Julius Miettinen’s 3-2 go-ahead goal. The team likes him for his brute force and excellent shot, two things that have lacked at points in the tournament. Hopefully today’s performance helps spark a nice push for him going forward.