OTTAWA – The United States soared to victory at the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship, defeating Finland 4-3 in dramatic overtime, clinching gold for the second consecutive year. This historic achievement marks the USA's third gold medal win in five years and solidifies their status as the premier team of this tournament.
The thrilling final took place on Sunday night, where the American team faced adversity after trailing 3-1 midway through the match. The game began with tension as Finland drew first blood, with Jesse Kiiskinen scoring on the power play at 7:13. A relentless assault by the Finns pushed them to hold a 3-1 advantage, as they capitalized on their opportunities with goals from Tuomas Uronen and Emil Pieniniemi.
Despite the mounting pressure, the USA's spirit remained unshaken. They made strategic adjustments leading to late-period goals by Brandon Svoboda and Cole Hutson, tying the game at 3-3 just before the intermission.
The decisive moments unfolded during 3-on-3 overtime, where speed and skill would prove pivotal. Teddy Stiga, who had previously found himself as a healthy scratch earlier in the tournament, emerged as the game’s unlikely hero. After receiving a perfectly timed pass from Denver’s Zeev Buium, Stiga deftly navigated past Finnish defenders before firing the puck through Petteri Rimpinen's legs—securing his first goal of the tournament and the victory for the USA.
Stiga reflected on the moment, sharing, "You’ve got to find your role. Trying to do what I could to help the team win, and topping it off with the win there was pretty cool." His goal not only sealed the golden victory but also etched his name among the champions.
Throughout the contest, the USA outshot Finland 40-24, showcasing their offensive prowess and resilience. Rimpinen, bestowed with the title of best goalie of the tournament, played valiantly for the Finns, making several clutch saves to keep his team within reach even as the Americans piled on pressure.
Ryan Leonard, the captain of the US team, was named tournament MVP. He exclaimed, "Dynasty… it’s sick. There’s no greater feeling. We wanted to do something never accomplished before. It’s crazy." This encapsulated the team's aim to dominate the tournament, proving their mettle through sheer determination and teamwork.
The loss marked Finland's sixth silver medal and left them with bittersweet feelings. Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju stated, "We kept just growing up day-by-day. We were really close to getting the most shining medal. Not this time, but I’m very proud of everyone on this team." His words echoed the sentiment of pride felt by the Finnish squad, who had rallied impressively through the tournament.
With this historic victory, the USA will now host the upcoming 2026 tournament, held across Minneapolis and St. Paul, another opportunity for developing stars to shine on the world stage. For Teddy Stiga, his first goal will forever be remembered, as he etched his name in gold for the USA as they aim to continue their legacy of excellence.