The United States’ run at the 2026 world junior hockey championship is over.
Finland pulled off a 4-3 overtime victory on Friday, Jan. 2, after a wild third period in which the Finns rallied for a 3-2 lead only to see the USA tie the game.
The overtime didn’t last long as defenseman Arttu Valila scored his first goal and point of the tournament at 2:11 to send the host USA home empty-handed with a quarterfinal loss.
The USA had brought back eight players from the 2025 team that beat Finland 4-3 in overtime for a second consecutive gold medal. That group included defenseman Cole Hutson, who returned on Friday from a scary injury that he suffered in the tournament’s second game.
Hutson showed his importance by recording a goal and an assist in the second period, and the USA led 2-1 after two periods.
But Finland struck with two goals in 55 seconds in the third period (Leo Tuuva had a goal and assist) to take a 3-2 lead. The USA tied the game on a Ryker Lee goal with 1:33 left, forcing overtime.
The USA couldn’t match last year’s overtime result as Finland ended the Americans’ three-peat bid and advanced to the semifinals against rival Sweden.
“They played a great game tonight and came up just short,’ USA coach Bob Motzko said. ‘Give Finland credit. It’s an empty feeling right now, but our guys gave it all they had.”
USA TODAY provided live coverage of the USA vs. Finland game. Here are the highlights:
USA vs. Finland highlights
World juniors hockey semifinals set
With Canada’s 7-1 win against Slovakia, the world junior championships are set. No. 1 Sweden will face rival Finland in Sunday’s early game at 4:30 p.m. ET. Canada will face Czechia at 8:30 p.m. The medal games will be on Monday.
What’s next at the world junior championships?
The semifinals are on Sunday, Jan. 4. Sweden, Czechia and Finland have advanced, and Canada has a big lead on Slovakia in the quarterfinals. The semifinals are re-seeded so No. 1 Sweden would face the lowest remaining seed.
USA’s best players
James Hagens, Will Zellers and Brodie Ziemer are named the USA’s best players of the tournament.
Final score: Finland 4, USA 3 (OT)
The USA’s three-peat bid at the world junior championships is over. Arttu Valila scores at 2:11 for a 4-3 win. That’s the same score by which the USA had beaten Finland in last year’s gold medal game. Finland advances to the semifinals.
Overtime underway
USA chants start as 3-on-3 overtime begins.
End of third: USA 3, Finland 3
Ryker Lee ties it up
Will Zellers makes a nice rush down the ice. James Hagens picks up the puck behind the net and feeds Ryker Lee for the goal with 1:33 left. USA 3, Finland 3
Big save by Nick Kempf
He stops a 2-on-1 break with less than three minutes left.
Finland takes the lead
That’s two goals in 55 seconds for Finland. Leo Tuuva sets up Joona Saarelainen. Finland 3, USA 2
Finland ties it up
Aron Kiviharju makes a nice backdoor pass to Leo Tuuva with 7:17 left in the third period. USA 2, Finland 2
Brendan McMorrow injury
The USA’s McMorrow blocked a shot with his hand and he’s not on the bench.
Czechia-Switzerland final score
The Czechs win 6-2 to advance to the semifinals. They rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits. Their opponent is to be determined.
Finland power play
Will Zellers is called for goaltender interference. Finland is 0-for-1 on the power play in this game. USA kills it off.
Third period underway
USA leads 2-1. Eight of the last 10 games between these teams have been one-goal games.
End of second: USA 2, Finland 1
Cole Hutson showed why the USA missed him while he was out 2½ games after his injury scare. He picked up a goal and assist in that period. The smooth-skating defenseman joined the rush to open the scoring and he skated down to low in the faceoff circle to set up Cole Eiserman’s go-ahead goal.
USA power play
Kasper Pikkarainen is called for boarding Logan Hensler. It’s reviewed and ruled only a two-minutes penalty. The USA is 1-for-2 so far in the game. Finland kills it off.
Cole Eiserman gives USA lead
Cole Hutson carries the puck to the bottom of the faceoff circle on a power play and feeds Cole Eiserman in front. That’s two points by Hutson in this game, giving him the U.S. record for most career points by a defenseman at the tournament. USA 2, Finland 1
USA power play
Finland called for too many men on the ice.
Finland ties it up
Heikki Ruohonen scores from the faceoff circle after a pass from Max Westergard. USA 1, Finland 1
Cole Hutson scores for USA
He rushes up the ice, takes a pass from Kamil Bednarik and rips a shot past Petteri Rimpinen. It’s his 14th point in world juniors history, tying him with Erik Johnson for the USA record for a defenseman. USA 1, Finland 0
Second period underway
Scoreless. USA is short-handed for 25 seconds. Now it’s even strength.
End of first: USA 0, Finland 0
USA outshoots Finland 12-8 in that period. Cole Hutson looks good moving the puck. The USA had a couple turnovers, but goalie Nick Kempf keeps it scoreless.
Finland power play
AJ Spellacy is called for tripping. The USA gave up three power-play goals by Sweden in the last game. The USA kills the first part of the penalty but 25 seconds will spill into the second period.
USA chance
AJ Spellacy breaks in with speed, but Petteri Rimpinen makes a save. Still scoreless with five minutes left in the first period.
Big save by Nick Kempf
He stops Heikki Ruohonen in tight after a USA turnover.
USA power play
Mitja Jokinen is called for hooking. Cole Hutson was on the ice at the time of the call, so he’s not on the power play unit to start, but he’s out there now. Finland kills it off.
Game underway
It’s win or go home.
What channel is USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game today?
TV channel: NHL Network
Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.
Watch world junior championships on Fubo
What time is USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game today?
Date: Friday, Jan. 2
Time: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)
The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.
World juniors USA vs. Finland: How to watch, stream
Time: 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 2
Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
TV: NHL Network
Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.
World junior championships quarterfinals today
Jan. 2
- Sweden 6 Latvia 3: The Swedes remain perfect at the tournament and will have the top seed in Sunday’s semifinals. Anton Frondell, a Blackhawks No. 3 overall pick, scored twice, including 10 seconds into the game.
- Czechia 6. Switzerland 2: Jiri Klima and Petr Sikora each had a goal and two assists.
- Finland 4, USA 3 (OT): Arttu Vilala scored at 2:11 of overtime to oust the two-time defending champion United States. The USA’s Ryker Lee had tied the game with 1:33 left in regulation. Cole Hutson returned from his injury vs. Switzerland and had a goal and an assist.
- Canada 7, Slovakia 1: Canada got goals from seven different scores to oust Slovakia.
USA vs Finland history
The U.S. and Finland have met 40 times previously, with Team USA having a 20-19-1 advantage. They split games in last year’s tournament, but the USA won 4-3 in overtime for its second consecutive gold medal.
Cole Hutson injury update
The USA defenseman told NHL Network it has been a ‘pretty tough week, lots of emotions’ as he returns for the first time since his injury in the Switzerland game.
Asked how he would manage expectations on Friday, he said: ‘I think it’s keeping it simple for the first few shifts, make sure I’m not trying anything too crazy. Hopefully then my game will come out soon and somehow I’ll help the team win.’
USA, Finland lineups
Finland goaltender vs USA
Petteri Rimpinen, the top goalie of the 2025 tournament, is expected to start against the USA. Like last year, he has played every minute. The Kings draft pick has a 2.49 goals-against average and a .865 save percentage. Those numbers are down from last year.
USA goaltender vs Finland
The USA will go with Notre Dame’s Nick Kempf in net. He has given up only two goals in the tournament, including one on 17 shots in the third period against Sweden after he replaced starter Brady Knowling. He won the second game against Switzerland. He has a 1.54 goals against average and .934 save percentage.
Sweden advances to semifinals
Sweden improved to 5-0 after a 6-3 win against Latvia. Blackhawks draft pick Anton Frondell scored 10 seconds into the game and also scored in the third period.
USA players to watch
Will Zellers leads the USA with five goals and seven points. He had the game-winning goal in the first three games. Brodie Ziemer (Sabres) has six points and James Hagens (Bruins) has five.
Finland players to watch
Roope Vesterinen leads Finland with four goals and is tied for the team with five points. Defenseman Lasse Boelius also has five points, including two goals.
Cole Hutson injury update
The USA defenseman will suit up for the first time since he left the second game on a stretcher after being hit in the head by a puck. Injured forward Max Plante remains day-to-day.
Germany wins relegation game
Fifth-place Germany beat beat fifth-place Denmark 8-4 in Friday’s relegation game and will stay in the top level of the world junior championships. Denmark, which had qualified for the tournament this season, moves down one level. It went winless in Minnesota.